Discover the delightful flavors of Lemon Zest Chicken Pasta! This quick and easy recipe combines tender chicken, creamy sauce, and a burst of lemon for a dish that’s sure to impress. Perfect for dinner any night of the week, you'll love how simple it is to create this flavorful meal.
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
8 oz fettuccine or your preferred pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
Zest of 1 lemon
¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
![- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces - 8 oz fettuccine or your preferred pasta - 1 tablespoon olive oil - 3 cloves garlic, minced - Zest of 1 lemon - ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice - 1 cup chicken broth - 1 cup heavy cream - 1 teaspoon dried oregano - Salt and pepper to taste - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese In this dish, the chicken plays a big role. I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for easy cooking. Cut them into small pieces to ensure they cook quickly. The pasta is just as important. I love fettuccine, but you can pick any type you like. For the sauce, I mix lemon juice, zest, garlic, and chicken broth. These flavors blend well and make the dish bright and fresh. Heavy cream adds richness, while Parmesan cheese gives a nice salty kick. - Fresh herbs - Extra cheese Garnishes make the dish pop. I often use fresh parsley for color and flavor. A sprinkle of extra cheese on top adds creaminess and makes it look fancy. You can also try other herbs like basil or thyme for a twist. Check out the Full Recipe for all the steps to create this delightful meal! 1. Salting the water: Start by filling a large pot with water. Add a generous amount of salt. It should taste like the sea. This step boosts the pasta's flavor. 2. Draining and reserving pasta water: Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta but save ½ cup of the water. This water is starchy and can help your sauce later. 1. Seasoning and cooking: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken pieces, then season with salt, pepper, and oregano. Cook until golden brown, about 6-7 minutes. 2. Setting chicken aside: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet. Place it on a plate and let it rest while you make the sauce. 1. Sautéing garlic: Use the same skillet. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds. This will make your kitchen smell amazing! 2. Adding liquids and zest: Pour chicken broth into the skillet. Scrape any browned bits from the bottom. Then add lemon juice and the zest. Bring it to a simmer for 3-4 minutes. 1. Mixing pasta with sauce and chicken: Lower the heat. Stir in heavy cream and mix well. Add the cooked chicken and drained pasta. Toss everything together gently. 2. Adjusting sauce consistency: If the sauce is too thick, add some reserved pasta water. Keep mixing until everything is well coated. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper if needed. Enjoy your Lemon Chicken Pasta Delight with a sprinkle of Parmesan! For the full recipe, check the earlier section. To make a great sauce, focus on thickness first. You want it creamy, not runny. Let the sauce simmer to thicken. It will help coat the pasta better. For balancing flavors, taste as you go. Add more lemon juice for zing or more cream for richness. Adjust the salt too, to enhance all the flavors. Cook chicken evenly by cutting it into small pieces. This way, it cooks faster and more evenly. Use medium heat to avoid burning the outside while the inside stays raw. To prevent dryness, don’t overcook the chicken. Aim for a golden brown color, around 6-7 minutes. Let the chicken rest after cooking to keep it juicy. Cooking pasta al dente means it’s firm to the bite. Boil it in salted water for the best taste. Always taste the pasta a minute before the package time ends. To avoid sticky pasta, add a splash of olive oil after draining. Toss it with the sauce right away to keep it from clumping. For the complete recipe, check out the [Full Recipe]. {{image_2}} When you make lemon chicken pasta, you can switch it up in fun ways. Here are some ideas to try. You can add more flavors with vegetables and proteins. - Vegetables: Toss in spinach for color and nutrition. Cherry tomatoes add sweetness and a pop of color. - Proteins: For a twist, use shrimp or tofu. Shrimp cooks quickly and adds a nice flavor. Tofu is great for a plant-based option. If you have dietary needs, there are easy swaps. - Gluten-free pasta options: Use rice noodles or gluten-free pasta. They work well and taste great. - Dairy-free alternatives: Swap heavy cream for coconut milk or almond milk. This change keeps the dish creamy without dairy. Boost the taste with herbs and spices. - Additional herbs: Fresh basil or thyme can brighten the dish. They add a lovely aroma and layer of flavor. - Spicy versions: If you love heat, add red pepper flakes. This gives the dish a spicy kick that many enjoy. Feel free to explore these variations to make lemon chicken pasta your own! For the full recipe, check out the details above. To keep your Lemon Chicken Pasta fresh, use airtight containers. Glass or plastic containers work well. Place your leftovers in the container when they are cool. You can store them in the fridge for up to three days. If they sit longer, the taste may fade. You can freeze Lemon Chicken Pasta before or after cooking. If you freeze it raw, prepare the pasta and sauce as normal. Place everything in a freezer-safe container. It will stay good for up to three months. If you freeze it after cooking, let it cool first. Reheat it gently to keep the flavors intact. To reheat, use the stovetop or microwave. If using the stovetop, add a splash of chicken broth or water. This prevents the pasta from drying out. Stir and heat until warm. Enjoy your delicious meal again! For the full recipe, check out Lemon Zest Chicken Pasta Delight. You can make Lemon Chicken Pasta ahead of time. First, cook the pasta and chicken as per the Full Recipe. Let them cool completely. Then, store them in separate airtight containers. Keep the sauce in another container. When ready to eat, reheat the sauce and combine everything. This method helps maintain the dish's taste and texture. Yes, you can use different pasta shapes. Fettuccine works great, but you can try penne, spaghetti, or even gluten-free options. Just adjust the cooking time according to the type you choose. The key is to ensure the sauce clings well to your pasta. Lemon Chicken Pasta pairs well with various sides. You can serve it with a fresh green salad. Garlic bread or crusty rolls are also great choices. If you want something lighter, steamed vegetables complement the dish nicely. Lemon Chicken Pasta can be a healthy choice. It has lean protein from chicken and carbs from pasta. You can make it even healthier by using whole wheat pasta and reducing the cream. Adding vegetables boosts the nutrition and fiber content. To adjust the Lemon Chicken Pasta recipe for more servings, simply double or triple the ingredients. Keep the same cooking method. If you increase the pasta, make sure to adjust the amount of sauce accordingly. More sauce helps keep everything flavorful and moist. This blog covered making Lemon Chicken Pasta, first with key ingredients. You learned about chicken, pasta, and sauce. We walked through cooking steps, from pasta to sauce prep. Tips helped you achieve perfect texture and flavor. Variations, like adding veggies or using different proteins, keep meals fresh. Finally, I shared storage options for leftovers. Now you can enjoy this dish any time. Happy cooking!](https://cheftaling.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/90103b08-669e-4d5f-a5de-2d6c53b037f2-250x250.webp)