Description
Forget takeout—this creamy lemon herb chicken pasta is fast, easy, budget-friendly, and absolutely delicious. With tender chicken, vibrant herbs, and zesty lemon, it’s your next weeknight dinner obsession.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound pasta (penne, rotini, or farfalle)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
- Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package directions. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Sauté the Chicken: While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook until the chicken is cooked through and lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, parsley, and basil.
- Combine: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the chicken and sauce. Toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and lemon wedges, if desired.
Notes
For extra flavor, try adding spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes. Leftovers are great for next-day lunch and can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 390mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: chicken pasta, easy dinner, weeknight meal, creamy pasta