Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340 g) of your favorite pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or penne)
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 cup heavy cream or Greek yogurt for a lighter option
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced chicken breasts, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the lemon zest.
- Pour in the fresh lemon juice and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the heavy cream or Greek yogurt, lowering the heat to medium-low, and simmer gently until the sauce slightly thickens. Mix in grated Parmesan for creaminess.
- Meanwhile, cook your preferred pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, following package instructions. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Add the cooked pasta and sautéed chicken back into the skillet with the lemon sauce. Toss everything together to coat evenly, adding reserved pasta water if the sauce appears too thick. Finish with fresh chopped parsley or basil.
Notes
- This easy lemon pasta keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- To reheat, warm in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or lemon juice to freshen the sauce.
- Customize your dish by adding cherry tomatoes, spinach, or peas for added nutrition.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Balanced
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600 Kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 95mg