Lemon Chicken Pasta
This zesty lemon chicken pasta recipe is quick, simple to make, and has a delicious lemon garlic butter sauce. It's ready in just 30 minutes for a weeknight treat!
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 8 ounces uncooked pasta I used spaghetti
- 2 chicken breasts cut in half lengthwise
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice + zest of 1 lemon
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon parsley chopped
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Boil a salted pot of water for the pasta and cook it al dente according to package directions. You will need to use a bit of the hot pasta water in step 6 of the recipe, so don't drain it before then.
- Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise (so you have 4 thinner pieces). Season them with the garlic powder, lemon pepper, and a bit of salt & pepper (go easy on it especially if the lemon pepper contains a lot of salt).
- Add the oil to a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 5-6 minutes/side or until it's cooked through (165F), then transfer it to a plate.
- Take the skillet off the heat for a minute or two so the pan cools down a bit, then return it to the burner over medium heat.
- Add the butter to the skillet and let it melt, then stir in the garlic and let it cook for about 30 seconds.
- Add in the lemon juice + zest, Italian seasoning, parsley, and 2 tablespoons of the hot pasta water.
- Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet. Take the skillet off the heat.
- Slice the chicken, then add it back to the skillet and toss everything together. Sprinkle with the parmesan cheese, season with salt & pepper as needed, and serve immediately.
Notes
- This pasta is quite lemony, so feel free to add a bit less lemon juice and/or zest than suggested if you're not a big fan.
- If needed, add a little more of the hot pasta water than suggested (keep tossing to get a smooth sauce).
Nutrition
Calories: 537kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 106mg | Sodium: 402mg | Potassium: 591mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 493IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 168mg | Iron: 2mg