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Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta

Category: Dinner Solutions You'll Love

This dish blends moist chicken in a tangy garlic-lemon sauce with rich Parmesan-coated linguine. Zesty, creamy, and downright delicious all in one bowl.

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Hannah Author
Updated on Sat, 17 May 2025 19:05:03 GMT
A generous serving of fettuccine with glazed chicken pieces, sprinkled with parsley and a lemon wedge on the side. Save
A generous serving of fettuccine with glazed chicken pieces, sprinkled with parsley and a lemon wedge on the side. | recipesbyhannah.com

Linguine tossed with juicy chicken, garlicky lemon, and loads of creamy parmesan. It's fast to make and feels fancy, but you can totally whip it up on a lazy night too.

Dreamy Creamy

Savory bites of chicken float in a tangy lemon garlic blend, tangled up with parmesan pasta. Herbs and bright lemon keep things fresh so the creamy part doesn't get heavy.

Gather Up

  • Parsley: Chop some fresh for a punchy finish
  • Garlic Powder: Just half a teaspoon works
  • Cream: Half a cup of the heavy kind
  • Parmesan: Grate three-quarters of a cup
  • Linguine: Eight ounces uncooked
  • Lemon: Zest and juice one
  • Garlic: Mince three big cloves
  • Butter: Five tablespoons, split up
  • Seasonings: Sprinkle with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian blend
  • Chicken: Grab a pound of breast and dice it up

Dive In

Sauce Up
Get butter melting, swirl in garlic and lemon, then bring the chicken back
Make Creamy
Melt more butter, toss in cream, parmesan, and a pinch more seasoning
Wrap Up
Throw pasta into sauce, pile chicken on top, scatter herbs
Sear Chicken
Brown it in bubbling butter, then take it out
Prep It
Season chicken cubes good and even
Noodle Time
Boil up the linguine and keep some pasta water aside
A bowl of spaghetti loaded with golden chicken and a glossy, herby sauce, finished off with parsley and a squeeze of lemon. Save
A bowl of spaghetti loaded with golden chicken and a glossy, herby sauce, finished off with parsley and a squeeze of lemon. | recipesbyhannah.com

Totally Satisfying

Bursting lemon, creamy pasta, tender chicken—it's comfort food that feels light and breezy. Makes a regular night feel like a treat or something you'd share with friends.

Recipe FAQs

→ Why save pasta water?

The starchy water smooths out the sauce. Add a splash at a time to get it just right.

→ Can I swap the pasta type?

You can! Try spaghetti, penne, or fettuccine for variety. All work well here.

→ How do I stop the sauce from curdling?

Take it off the heat before adding cheese and keep stirring. Too much heat can separate the sauce.

→ How can I make it lighter?

Go for half-and-half instead of heavy cream and cut back the butter just a little. Flavor's still great but less rich.

→ What goes well with this?

Serve it up with roasted veggies or a crisp salad. Garlic bread is awesome for scooping up that sauce, too.

Bright Chicken Pasta

Tender chicken with creamy lemon butter sauce tossed with Parmesan linguine. A fast, cozy meal that feels fancy but is totally easy to pull off.

Preparation Time
15 min
Cooking Time
20 min
Total Time
35 min

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Cuisine: Fusion Italian

Yield: 4 Servings (4)

Dietary Preferences: ~

Ingredients

01 8 oz of linguine.
02 3/4 cup of Parmesan cheese, finely grated.
03 1/2 cup thick cream.
04 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
05 2 tablespoons of butter.
06 Salt and pepper to your liking.
07 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast (1 lb) cut into small pieces.
08 1/2 teaspoon each of Italian herbs and paprika.
09 3 tablespoons of butter, used in batches.
10 3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped.
11 Zest and juice from 1 lemon.
12 Fresh parsley for sprinkling on top as garnish.

Directions

Step 01

Cook linguine in plenty of salted water till tender yet firm. Save half a cup of the pasta water, then drain.

Step 02

Sprinkle chicken pieces with seasonings like paprika, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper.

Step 03

In a hot pan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Brown the seasoned chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side, then take it out of the pan.

Step 04

Put garlic and 2 tablespoons of butter into the pan. Stir for a bit, then mix in lemon zest and juice. Add the cooked chicken back into the pan and let it soak up the mix.

Step 05

Use another pan to melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Gradually stir in cream. Whisk in Parmesan until it’s smooth. Add garlic powder and adjust seasoning.

Step 06

Combine the cooked linguine with the cheese sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, slowly mix in reserved pasta water until it’s just right.

Step 07

Dish up the pasta, topping it with the lemony chicken pieces. Sprinkle fresh parsley over everything before serving.

Notes

  1. Save some of the pasta water for blending with the sauce.
  2. Take the pan off the heat before adding the cheese.
  3. Feel free to swap in different pasta if you’d like.
  4. Pour in reserved water little by little to thin out the sauce.
  5. As the sauce sits, it may get thicker.

Required Equipment

  • A deep skillet for sautéing.
  • Medium pan for the sauce.
  • A pot to boil your pasta.
  • A strainer or colander to drain water.
  • A whisk to combine ingredients smoothly.

Allergen Information

Check all ingredients for potential allergens and consult a medical professional if uncertain.
  • Contains dairy (butter, cream, Parmesan).
  • Wheat is included (from the pasta).

Nutritional Information (per serving)

These details are for reference only and shouldn't replace medical advice.
  • Calories: 585
  • Fats: 32 g
  • Carbohydrates: 42 g
  • Proteins: 38 g