Description
Make this simple, creamy lemon pepper chicken pasta in a single pot for quick preparation and easy cleanup. This recipe delivers bright lemon flavor with a rich sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1.5 cups dry pasta (penne or rotini work well)
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/4 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
- Add the chopped onion to the same pot and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the dry pasta, chicken broth, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is nearly tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Return the cooked chicken to the pot. Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Cook uncovered for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the pasta.
- Remove from heat. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- For a brighter pepper flavor, use freshly cracked black pepper.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of cold water during the last 2 minutes of simmering.
- You can substitute milk for heavy cream, but the sauce will be thinner.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 850
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Unsaturated Fat: 11
- Trans Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 40
- Cholesterol: 120