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Lemon Garlic Pasta with Chicken

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!

 

Main image for Lemon Garlic Pasta with Chicken

 

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!

 

all ingredients laid out on counter ready to assemble.

 

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.

 

cream sauce being made in skillet with fresh sliced lemons.

 

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:

  1. Cook the pasta.
  2. Sear chicken on both sides until golden brown.
  3. Transfer the skillet and chicken to the oven and bake.
  4. In a separate pan, sauté diced onions in chicken broth. Add heavy cream, minced garlic, and lemon slices.
  5. Mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Stir it into the sauce to thicken.
  6. 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

 

cream sauce cooking with lemon slices.

 

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.

 

Chicken breasts in skillet with cream sauce and lemon slices.

 

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!

 

zoomed out image of pasta in bowl with sliced chicken and cream sauce poured over the top.

 

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.

 

zoomed in image of pasta in bowl with sliced chicken and sauce.

 

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:

 

side view of chicken slices on top of pasta with cream sauce poured over the top.

 

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!

 

Yield: 4 - 6 Servings

Lemon Garlic Pasta with Chicken

Collage of images for Pinterest of Lemon Garlic Pasta with Chicken. Top Image is of sauce being poured onto chicken. Bottom image is of chicken cooking in skillet.

Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta with Chicken is a lemon lovers dream meal. Moist, tender chicken, in a creamy lemon sauce served over pasta.

Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 300*F
  2. In a large pot add linguini noodles, 1 Tablespoon olive oil & enough water to cover noodles. Cook noodles according to package directions.
  3. Add butter & 2 Tablespoons of olive oil to a deep skillet and turn to medium heat.
  4. Once pan is hot, add chicken.
  5. Cook for 4 minutes, then flip and cook for 4 more minutes. Chicken should have have a golden color but not be cooked through.
  6. 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)
  7. 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.
  8. Once chicken is cooked through remove from oven.
  9. 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.
  10. Add heavy cream, garlic, & lemon slices to chicken broth. Cook for 5 minutes.
  11. In a small bowl mix corn starch and water.
  12. Pour mixture into sauce. Stir well, allowing mixture to thicken.
  13. Once chicken is removed from oven add it to cream sauce and mix well.
  14. Remove lemon slices and serve immediately over noodles.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 488Total Fat: 29gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 124mgSodium: 316mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 30g
Originally Posted: March 22, 2016

Photos & Text Updated: January 25, 2025

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Liz Heath

Tuesday 22nd of March 2016

Another yummy meal.

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