Description
A vibrant and creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta dish featuring tender pan-seared chicken breasts combined with gemelli pasta in a luscious lemon cream sauce made with fresh lemon juice, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. This easy stovetop recipe is perfect for a refreshing weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces dry gemelli pasta (¾ box)
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (from 2 lemons)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ½ cup heavy cream (room temperature)
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (plus more, for serving)
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Boil the Pasta: Cook the gemelli pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta and setting it aside.
- Season the Chicken: Pat dry the chicken breasts and pound them to an even thickness for uniform cooking. Season both sides with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for about 6-7 minutes per side until browned and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the Garlic: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant without burning.
- Make the Sauce Base: Pour in the reserved pasta cooking water, low-sodium chicken broth, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Reduce heat to low, then stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until the cheese is melted and the sauce reaches a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Slice the cooked chicken into thin strips. Return the chicken to the skillet and simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes to warm through.
- Toss with Pasta and Serve: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss thoroughly until the pasta is well coated with the lemon cream sauce. Serve with an optional garnish of chopped fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- For best texture, pound chicken breasts evenly before cooking.
- Using reserved pasta water helps to loosen and enhance the sauce.
- Adjust lemon juice to taste for your preferred level of brightness.
- Freshly grated Parmesan is recommended for optimal flavor and smooth melting.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Lemon Chicken Pasta, Creamy Lemon Pasta, Italian Chicken Pasta, Gemelli Pasta Recipe, Easy Weeknight Dinner
