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Lemon Cream Chicken Pasta Recipe

This creamy pasta dish incorporates a classic combination of flavors: lemon, chicken, and garlic. It's a nice change of pace from the usual pasta fare and even quicker to make if you have leftover chicken.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 people
Calories 4077.9 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Baking Dish
  • 1 Large Saucepan
  • 1 Cutting Board
  • 1 Chef's knife
  • 1 Measuring Cups/Spoons

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 3 skinless boneless chicken breast halves
  • 1 lemon quartered
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder divided
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper divided
  • 2 14.5 ounce cans chicken broth
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 8 ounce package rotelle pasta
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

Instructions
 

  • Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Allrecipes / Julia Hartbeck
  • Place chicken in a lightly greased baking dish. Squeeze lemon over both sides of the chicken breasts and season both sides using 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder and ¾ teaspoon pepper. Allrecipes / Julia Hartbeck
  • Bake in the preheated oven until juices run clear and chicken is no longer pink inside, about 40 minutes. Allrecipes / Julia Hartbeck
  • Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, season the chicken broth with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Allrecipes / Julia Hartbeck
  • Bring to a boil and add lemon juice and pasta. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until all liquid is absorbed, about 25 minutes. Allrecipes / Julia Hartbeck
  • Cut cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and stir into cooked pasta, along with the cream and lemon zest. Cook, stirring, over low heat for 5 minutes. Allrecipes / Julia Hartbeck

Notes

For enhanced flavor, consider a quick pan-sear on the chicken breasts before baking to develop a golden crust and seal in moisture. Use fresh garlic, minced or grated, instead of powder for a more aromatic and complex profile in the sauce. When cooking the pasta, ensure it remains al dente as it absorbs the broth; overcooking will result in a mushy texture. Finish the dish with a vibrant sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives for color and herbaceous freshness. A final squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving will brighten the entire dish, balancing the richness of the cream.