Healthy Pasta Recipes Chicken – Bright Lemon Chicken Pasta
This easy lemon chicken pasta is fresh, bright, and ready in under 30 minutes. With pan-seared chicken, garlic, lemon zest, and a buttery sauce, it’s a light yet satisfying weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 12 oz pasta (linguine, spaghetti, or penne)
- 3 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- Juice of 1–2 lemons (about ¼ cup)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup reserved pasta water
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or basil
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain, reserving ½ cup pasta water.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a skillet. Cook chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden. Rest, then slice.
- In the same pan, add remaining butter, garlic, lemon zest, and juice. Simmer briefly.
- Add pasta, chicken, Parmesan, and reserved pasta water. Toss until coated.
- Adjust seasoning and top with herbs before serving.
Notes
- Add spinach or arugula for extra greens.
- For creamy variation, stir in a splash of heavy cream.
- Best served fresh but can be stored up to 3 days.