This creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta with Chicken is full of flavor and perfect for busy weeknights! It’s an easy weeknight dinner that the entire family will love!
Tender chicken breasts, a creamy lemon garlic sauce, and linguini noodles. Could there be anything more dreamy?
And that lemon garlic sauce?
It’s a combo of fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, and parmesan cheese!
Bold lemon flavor that goes great with juicy chicken breast!
This lemon garlic chicken pasta uses pantry staples like olive oil, heavy cream, and chicken broth. Simple ingredients!
It’s ready in under an hour, perfect for busy weeknights! So easy to make!
You can swap chicken for shrimp or use zucchini noodles for a low-carb option. Totally customizable.
And this lemon garlic pasta dish is one the entire family will enjoy!
It’s creamy, delicious and packed with so much flavor!
What Ingredients Are in Lemon Garlic Pasta with Chicken?
Creamy lemon chicken pasta is one of those great pasta recipes you’ll want to keep in your back pocket!
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to grab:
- Linguini Noodles: Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente.
- Olive Oil: Used for sautéing.
- Butter: Helps brown the chicken. Not to mention, yum!
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: Rinsed and patted dry. Lean protein!
- Chicken Broth: Forms the base of the creamy sauce. And deglazes the browned bits from the pan too!
- Diced Onion: Pretty small bits.
- Heavy Cream: Not whipped cream. In case you didn’t know, they are not the same.
- Minced Garlic: You can also use garlic paste.
- Lemon Slices: Fresh lemon slices.
- Cornstarch and Water: Slurry to thicken the sauce.
Pro Tips:
- Add red pepper flakes or Italian seasoning for extra flavor.
- Fresh parsley makes a great garnish.
- You can actually make with your pasta of choice.
How to Make Lemon Garlic Pasta with Chicken?
This lemon chicken pasta recipe is a very family-friendly dinner recipe!
The whole easy pasta recipe is below but here’s what you need too know:
- Cook the pasta.
- Sear chicken on both sides until golden brown.
- Transfer the skillet and chicken to the oven and bake.
- In a separate pan, sauté diced onions in chicken broth. Add heavy cream, minced garlic, and lemon slices.
- Mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Stir it into the sauce to thicken.
- Toss everything together and enjoy!
Pro Tips:
- Reserve a cup of the pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
- Use a garlic press for easy mincing.
- If you’re looking for a little less lemon punch, try this Garlic Chicken Recipe.
How Long Does Lemon Garlic Pasta with Chicken Last?
This lemon pasta dish can last for up to three days
Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
It’s perfect for leftovers the next day!
Or great for meal prep! Make it on Sunday night and you’ve got a great lunch this week!
How to Store Lemon Garlic Pasta with Chicken?
This lemon garlic chicken pasta recipe should always be kept in an airtight container.
First let it cool completely to room temperature.
Then transfer to your container.
Refrigerate right away.
Reheat gently on the stove over medium heat.
You can add a splash of chicken broth or heavy cream to loosen the sauce if you need to.
Can You Freeze Lemon Garlic Pasta with Chicken?
You actually can freeze this lemon butter chicken pasta.
Hallelujah for meal prep right?!
Place it in a freezer-safe container or plastic bag.
Then freeze for up to 2 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Can I Use Shrimp Instead of Chicken in Lemon Garlic Pasta?
You can absolutely use shrimp instead of chicken!
Shrimp is a great substitute for chicken!
Sauté shrimp in olive oil until pink and cooked through.
Then proceed with the recipe as normal. Simple. Easy. Delicious.
And it’s actually kind of fun to switch it up like that occasionally.
It’s the same recipe but made a little different.
And it has a totally different flavor.
So maybe cook them both up? Make one for now and one for later?
That’s a pretty good idea!
Is Lemon Garlic Pasta with Chicken Healthy?
This cooked pasta with crispy chicken is actually pretty healthy!
Okay, well healthy is relative. What does healthy mean to you?
You’ve got protein from the chicken.
And carbohydrates from the pasta.
Garlic and onion are so great for you.
Plus olive oil and fresh herbs add healthy fats and nutrients.
So I’d say yeah, it’s pretty good for you.
But you can try changing things up if you need to.
Use whole-grain pasta. That’s a pretty easy swap.
You could also try reducing the amount of heavy cream.
Though I haven’t done that myself so I can’t guarantee your creamy outcome.
What to Serve with Lemon Garlic Pasta with Chicken?
This easy meal can go with a lot of different things!
A simple salad or steamed vegetables.
Garlic bread or a side of roasted asparagus.
Mmmm. I’ve got so many ideas!
Here are a couple recipes if you need a few things to make with it:
- Easy Greek Salad
- Easy Creamed Corn
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Cashew Lettuce Salad
- Garlic Bread with Garlic Paste
- Bacon Lettuce Tomato Salad
- Roasted Winter Vegetables
- Grilled Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
- Green Beans in the Air Fryer
- Oatmeal Bread
- Hot Dog Bun Garlic Bread
- Watermelon Mint Feta Salad
- Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole
- Roasted Potatoes with Onion Soup Mix
This Lemon Garlic Pasta with Chicken recipe is sure to become a favorite meal in your household!
With its creamy lemon garlic sauce and juicy chicken breast? You’ll get rave reviews every time you serve it!
Lemon Garlic Pasta with Chicken

Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta with Chicken is a lemon lovers dream meal. Moist, tender chicken, in a creamy lemon sauce served over pasta.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces linguini noodles
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 4 Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, rinsed and patted dry.
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 lemon sliced into 4 slices
- 1 Tablespoon corn starch
- 1 Tablespoon water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300*F
- In a large pot add linguini noodles, 1 Tablespoon olive oil & enough water to cover noodles. Cook noodles according to package directions.
- Add butter & 2 Tablespoons of olive oil to a deep skillet and turn to medium heat.
- Once pan is hot, add chicken.
- Cook for 4 minutes, then flip and cook for 4 more minutes. Chicken should have have a golden color but not be cooked through.
- Once you've cooked chicken for 4 minutes on each side, put pan into the oven and cook for 10 minutes. (Read ahead as you'll want to make sauce while chicken is cooking - step 9)
- Remove chicken at 10 minute mark and check temperature with a digital thermometer. Chicken should be at 165*F. If chicken has not reached a safe temperature, flip chicken and bake for another 5-10 minutes.
- Once chicken is cooked through remove from oven.
- While chicken is baking, in a separate skillet or pan, add chicken broth & onions & cook for 8 - 10 minutes without lid until chicken broth cooks down to half and onions are soft.
- Add heavy cream, garlic, & lemon slices to chicken broth. Cook for 5 minutes.
- In a small bowl mix corn starch and water.
- Pour mixture into sauce. Stir well, allowing mixture to thicken.
- Once chicken is removed from oven add it to cream sauce and mix well.
- Remove lemon slices and serve immediately over noodles.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 488Total Fat: 29gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 124mgSodium: 316mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 30g
Photos & Text Updated: January 25, 2025
Liz Heath
Tuesday 22nd of March 2016
Another yummy meal.