Creamy Lemon Chicken Spaghetti
This Creamy Lemon Chicken Spaghetti is bursting with zesty lemon flavor and rich, velvety sauce. Perfect for a quick, vibrant weeknight dinner or impressing guests!
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 2 tablespoons olive oil for sautéing the chicken and garlic
- 4 chicken breasts boneless and skinless
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 lemon juice and zest of
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- fresh parsley chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the 8 oz spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the spaghetti and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the 4 chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper. Add them to the skillet and cook for about 5-7 minutes on each side or until cooked through and golden brown. Remove the chicken from the pan and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing into strips.
- In the same skillet, add the minced 2 cloves garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in 1 cup chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze and capture all those flavorful browned bits. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Lower the heat to medium and stir in 1 cup heavy cream, the juice and zest of 1 lemon, and 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly. If it gets too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
- Return the sliced chicken to the skillet, then add the cooked spaghetti. Toss everything together gently to coat the pasta and chicken evenly in the creamy lemon sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
- Plate the Creamy Lemon Chicken Spaghetti and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Large skillet or sauté pan
- Colander
- Microplane or grater
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and help it cling to the noodles.
- Let chicken rest before slicing to keep it juicy and tender.
- Use fresh lemon zest for the best vibrant citrus flavor.
- Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream for a lighter sauce variation.
- Add steamed greens or crushed red pepper flakes to customize the dish.