Lemon Chicken Pasta (VIDEO)
Lemon Chicken Pasta is an easy 30-minute dinner. This chicken pasta tastes like a restaurant quality meal and the lemon cream sauce will win you over.
We love easy chicken pasta recipes like Chicken Tetrazzini and Pesto Chicken Pasta. This Lemon Chicken Pasta is the most requested chicken dinner at our house. P.S. Both the chicken and pasta reheat really well, which is perfect for meal prep.
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The #1 Secret to Creamy Alfredo Sauce:
Had you ever made a grainy, curdled or lumpy alfredo sauce? This lemon alfredo sauce is so simple to make but removing it from the heat after adding the cheese is KEY. As with any alfredo sauce, If you continue boiling after adding parmesan, the sauce can curdle and become gritty.
The #2 secret would be whisking constantly while adding the lemon juice so the cream doesn’t separate.
How to Reheat Creamy Pasta:
There are several effective ways to reheat a creamy pasta. Always add a splash of milk (or reserved pasta cooking water), to loosen the cream since it will thicken as it cools. The trick is to heat low and slow and just until warmed through. If you over-heat it, the cream will separate and turn buttery.
- On the Stove: Place in a sauce pan over medium-low heat and warm the pasta slowly, stirring frequently and adding more milk as needed to thin the sauce. Remove from heat once warmed through.
- In the Microwave: You can microwave a bowl of pasta for 45-60 seconds, stirring every 15 seconds.
What is a Lemon Cream Sauce?
We took our classic creamy alfredo sauce, and replaced the white wine with fresh lemon juice. The lemon juice lightens up the sauce and makes it vibrant. It goes so well with the crispy lemon chicken. The ingredients are simple:
- Butter – helps keep the sauce from separating
- Fresh garlic and onion powder – add amazing flavor
- Lemon Juice – fresh is best
- Heavy whipping cream – luxuriously smooth
- Shredded parmesan cheese or freshly grated
- Salt – always try the finished sauce and season to taste
How to Make Lemon Chicken:
My 9-year old son developed this lemon chicken when he was experimenting with popcorn chicken. It’s a simple 3-step process that results in a crisp and juicy chicken. You can use chicken breast cutlets or chicken tenders.
- Dip chicken cutlets into egg wash (egg+milk)
- Coat chicken in bread crumb mixture (panko bread crumbs + salt + pepper)
- Sautee in a large skillet and squeeze lemon juice over cooked chicken
More Chicken Pasta Recipes:
These chicken pasta recipes are some of the most popular recipes on our site. They are easy, flavorful and so satisfying.
- Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo – in a light alfredo sauce
- Creamy Chicken Pasta in Tomato Sauce – light and flavorful
- Chicken Florentine Pasta – creamy without any cream
- Pesto Chicken Pasta – a reader and family favorite
Watch Natasha Make Lemon Chicken Pasta:
It’s difficult to watch this when you’re hungry. There’s something about that crisp, juicy chicken and supremely creamy pasta that makes my mouth water. Make this lemon chicken pasta once and you’ll make it over and over.
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Lemon Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
Chicken Pasta Ingredients:
- 12 oz fettuccini pasta or spaghetti
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast (2 medium) cut in half lengthwise
- 1 egg
- 1 Tbsp milk
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
Lemon Cream Sauce
- 4 Tbsp fresh lemon juice from 1 large lemon, divided
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 Tbsp parsley optional garnish
Instructions
Cook Pasta:
-
Bring a pot of water to boil, add 1 Tbsp salt and pasta. Cook until al-dente according package instructions or to desired doneness. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water then drain and lightly rinse (rinsing will keep the sauce creamier)
Make Lemon Chicken:
-
While pasta is cooking, set up 2 bowls. In first bowl, beat together 1 egg and 1 Tbsp milk. In second bowl, combine 1 cup bread crumbs, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Dip each chicken cutlet in egg wash, letting excess drip back into the bowl, then dip in bread crumbs, turning to coat.
-
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 Tbsp oil, or enough to lightly cover the bottom of the pan and sautee breaded chicken in a single layer for 3-4 minutes per side or until cooked through with an internal temperature of 165˚F. Transfer to cutting board to cool slightly then cut into strips.
Make Lemon Cream Sauce:
-
In a medium saucepan over medium heat. Melt 2 Tbsp butter then add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp onion powder. Sautee 1 minute until fragrant.
-
Add 2 cups heavy cream and 1/2 tsp salt. Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to low and while whisking constantly, gradually pour in 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice, whisking to incorporate.
-
Sprinkle the top with 1/3 cup parmesan cheese and remove from heat, whisking until cheese is melted and incorporated. Season to taste with salt (I added a pinch of salt).
-
Pour sauce over rinsed, drained pasta and toss to coat noodles. Add reserved pasta cooking water to thin the sauce if desired. Garnish with parsley and serve with strips of chicken over warm bowls filled with pasta.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
natashaskitchen
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Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
This was amazing🎶🎶
My new addiction!
Thank you for your great review and feedback! I’m glad that you found your favorite recipe.
I just made this tonight for my family and it is absolutely delicious!!! Both my kids (5&6) gobbled it up, it was so good! A definite thumbs up from from the whole family!!
That’s so nice to hear! Sounds like your children found their favorite.
Hi Natasha
Can I make the chicken in advance and keep it warm in the oven?
Love watching you cook.
Hi Judy, yes that should work fine for a short time. I wouldn’t keep it in there longer than 2 hours or it might get too dry. You could also pre-make the chicken then re-crisp/rewarm it in the oven. An air fryer is my favorite way to reheat the breaded chicken to make it crisp again.
Is there 1085 calories in 1 serving or in the entire dish?
Hi Natalia, that is per serving. This recipe makes 4 servings. I hope that helps.
I am addicted to this recipe! I tossed in tender crisp bites of fresh asparagus. Heaven. I am making it again tomorrow for a friend’s birthday dinner. She will be over the moon. Thanks for ALL the GREAT recipes.
You’re welcome, Dawn! Thank you for sharing that great feedback with me!
We are so addicted to your recipes. Do you have a cookbook out or will you with all your recipes. Thank you for wanting me to cook again. After 51 years of marriage and the same recipes over and over again, I am having fun cooking again. Thank you soooo much.
Awww that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me! I’m all smiles. We are currently working on a cookbook. Stay tuned!
My family loved this
Glad that they loved it! Thank you for the great review.
I usually print out the recipes and try them out on the family and if it a “keeper” I laminate it and put in my various binders ( Main dishes,desserts, salads, pastries, etc.), but after trying out your recipes, I just automatically go to laminate it because I KNOW it will be delicious (and it is). I’m so glad I found your blog. Thank you for all the work you do to get them to all us who follow your blog.
That is an excellent idea thanks for sharing that with us! Hope you love every recipe that you try. Wishing you all the best!
Made the lemon chicken pasta tonight even my son ate it and he’s not big on pasta and cream sauces. He’s 27 set in his ways but he even liked it . Will definitely make again. I make Alfredo sauce all the time but that lemon just soooo good
That is the best when kids (even the 27-year-old ones) love what we moms make. That’s so great!
I think that this will be the most amazing recipe I will have!
I think the creamy sauce will be delicous.
Hi Kayla, I hope you love it! I look forward to your feedback once you try it!
Alright! Definitley Will!
🙂
I hope to give you feedback for this recipe and it is almost a guarantee it will be 5-Star feedback! Thanks for all your recipes and have a great day! 🙂
Kayla Johnson
Thank you so much Kayla. I appreciate it!
What amazing taste! Thank you!!!
You’re welcome. Thanks for dropping by!
Excellent recipe!
I love your method for making fettuccine. It turned out perfectly!
In your video you squeeze lots of lemon juice on the chicken but that step is not mentioned in your written recipe. An important addition if you love lemon, like me! Thank you for the new addition to my favorites!
Hi Melanie! Thank you for stopping by and sharing that wonderful feedback.
Made this with half and half instead and my sauce broke 😭 I think it was because it almost boiled over right before I put the lemon juice in. But hubby says it was still good…I’m sad
Oh bummer. I’m sorry to hear that. Half and half will break with the acidity of lemon juice which is why heavy whipping cream works best here.
Would the same thing happen with milk?
Hi Amber, I haven’t tested that with milk since it won’t thicken like whipping cream, but I believe it may have the same affect.
Delicious dish moist chicken satisfying pasta good all around. Thank you for sharing.
You’re welcome! I’m so glad you enjoyed that Greta.
Very good recipe, real restaurant quality, I totally agree. But next time I’ll do it for 1 meal, we didn’t like it on the second day. It was just our preference, so you might like it. This is definitely a keeper for us!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Natalia! Thank you for that awesome feedback!
Why rinse the pasta? Don’t you want the starch on the pasta, which helps the sauce cling? And I would add the just cooked pasta to the sauce, not the other way around. Thoughts?
Hi Carlyn, normally that is correct but I found that rinsing helps keep the sauce more creamy. The sauce is thick enough that it stays on no problem.
I’m assuming that the calorie count is for the whole recipe, not individual helpings.
Hi Mike, we add the calorie count per serving. This has 4 servings.
So per serving is 271 calories?
Hi Mike, the calories in the nutrition label are per serving.
This is so, so good!! My son and my husband loved it!! Great recipe!! Thank you for sharing!!!
Aww that’s the best! I love it when the entire family loves the recipe!
This dish so so delicious!!! Thank you for the recipe.
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Tanya!
Dinner was excellent! My question is that your recipe calls for 4T lemon juice, divided. I added 2 T to the sauce but don’t know where the other 2T are used.
Hi Jill, we squeezed the rest over the chicken and then over the served plate at the end of the video. I hope you helps.
This sauce is amazing! I served it over rice instead of pasta and it was delicious
That’s a great idea! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
1000+ calories per serving???
Hi Kat, heavy whipping cream is very rich. You could cut it down if you wanted a lighter sauce. This makes 4 generous portions.
Could I use store bought alfredo sauce but add some lemon and garlic to it??
That should work, although I haven’t found a store-bought one that tastes quite as good as homemade.
Me neither dj.
Can I use chicken thighs
Hi Kaila, that should work. Here is what one of our readers wrote “Made this the other day and my husband LOVED it! He said “you can make this for me every day!” Lol! I used chicken thighs because I don’t like how chicken breast dries up so quickly. Turned out great!” I hope the helps.
My husband is diabetic. While I could eat this, he couldn’t. Even low carb pastas (veggie, whole grain, wheat) are still too high in carbs. Other than rice, any suggestions for a noodle substitute? I’ve used zucchini noodles as a substitute for pasta and they are just “okay” as far as texture and taste goes. This sounds amazing, but pasta is generally forbidden in this house☹️ Oh, made your whole chicken recipe in the instant pot. It was beyond delicious!
Hi Penny, the first thing that comes to mind is possibly quinoa.
this was an amazing dish.Becuase of this is why I follow all of your recipes. JUST LOVE LOVE LOVE
I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Sara!! Thank you for that awesome review!
My family and I absolutely loved this recipe! So fresh! I love watching your videos, you are too cute and thorough in your explanation. My sauce was not as thick as yours though, maybe I didnt simmer the sauce long enough?
Hi Amber! I’m so glad your Family enjoyed this recipe. I haven’t experienced those results, but I am always happy to help troubleshoot. Heavy whipping cream is naturally pretty thick – I wonder if you possibly used a substitution instead of heavy whipping cream? I hope that helps to figure out what may have gone wrong.
I made this tonight and the chicken was great. I used boneless, skinless thighs. I also added some grated lemon to the panko coating.
The sauce was delicious but sadly it didn’t thicken up at all even after adding the pasta. I followed the instructions and used real whipping cream and lemon juice.
We are going to enjoy the leftover sauce on steamed broccoli tomorrow.
Thank you for all your hard work.
You’re welcome, Peachee! Thank you so much for stopping by with your awesome review!
Would I be able to substitute the heavy cream for coconut milk?
Hi Wendy, I have not tested that to advise. I imagine the coconut milk will not thicken like the heavy cream.
I made the Lemon Chicken pasta tonight and it turned out great. Have plenty of leftovers! Thank you.
Thank you for that awesome feedback, Jenn! I’m so glad you enjoyed that.
Hey Natasha!
Can I use milk instead of heavy whipping cream?
Hi Chat, unfortunately, it would not thicken properly without other modifications.
this was wonderful. I made it just as is and will definitely make it again, soon. I like that little squirt of lemon on the chicken after it’s fried-really adds to it. thanks for sharing
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Brenda!
Is it ok to replace parmesan cheese in “lemon chicken Pasta sauce” with cheddar cheese that i hv at home ?
Hi Rabia, I haven’t tested that but I think it could work. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe
I made this today for the first time and i have to say it was DELICIOUS!!!!!! Wow. It was easy and fast to make. Just how i like. I will be cooking more of your recipes.
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review!
Where are your blue pasta bowls from? They are spectacular!
Hi Donna, some of our favorite tools including this dish can be found in our shop here.
So easy and so delicious! First time making it and it’s already a favorite. Thanks for uploading video.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Esthefania! Thank you for the wonderful review!
Big hit! The pasta is so delicious and creamy. The chicken has a fresh lemon taste. My family absolutely loved it. And I loved that it only took 30 minutes lol.
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review!
My husband and I LOVE this recipe! It is my go to quick meal now whenever I feel like pasta. It has even taken over my love of a good spaghetti bolognese which is saying A LOT! I especially love that I can tailor the amount of lemon per serve since I prefer more and hubby likes less! Great recipe!
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Viki!
Our family LOVES this recipe! However, our sauce always comes out a bit watery too. I’m wondering if it’s because we have different whip cream in Canada? Ours is 35%. It doesn’t thicken up very well on the stove. Could I add cornstarch to the cold cream to help? Thanks for the great recipe!!
I’m so glad your Family enjoyed this recipe, Kate! I haven’t experienced those results, but I am always happy to help troubleshoot. Heavy whipping cream is naturally pretty thick – I wonder if you possibly used a substitution instead of heavy whipping cream? I hope that helps to figure out what may have gone wrong.
Oh, and I also added a bit of olive oil to the pasta after I drained as the sauce wasn’t quite ready yet. I don’t know if that helped.
I tried this recipe tonight. It was sooooo delicious. First time in a long time that my kids were quiet at dinner because no one was complaining. It took me a bit longer to make but then again I was cooking for 6. Anyway, I had the same experience with the whipping cream (in Canada). I was really worried and thought I did something wrong. But once I added the pasta I just kept tossing in and it got thicker as it cooled a bit. The sauce never thickened while I was cooking it. Maybe try adding a bit more pasta for more even distribution of the sauce.
I love that review – the kids were quiet at dinner. I’m smiling big. Thank you for sharing! 🙂 You should try our chicken pesto pasta next. That is a winner with my kiddos. It’s also great using shrimp and I’ve skipped the asparagus to satisfy our youngster.
This was a hit! I didn’t have onion powder so added a quarter onion to sauce. It was sooooo good family loved it!
I’m so glad you enjoyed that, Yadi! Thank you for that awesome review!
Hi could i use creme fraiche instead of cream would it work thanks
Hi Christine, I haven’t tested that to advise. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe
Was sooo good but it is not a left over kind of meal.
Thank you for sharing that with us.
Natasha I so enjoy you and your wonderful recipes. I especially enjoy your videos. Everything I have made by you have been awesome and enjoyed by me and my family. Thank you so much for being a part of my cooking life
Awww that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I’m all smiles!
This is a great recipe and we love it!
But if there is a way to make it using an instant pot it would be awesome. I prefer this because of less cleanups afterward.
I can prepare the chicken first but wondering how I can cook the pasta and the sauce at the same time. Please share your tips Natasha. Thanks.
Thank you for the wonderful review. I’m so glad you loved the recipe! Since this recipe is probably faster to make on the stove-top, we did not make an instant pot version of it. Here are all of our instant pot recipes. I hope you find some new favorites!
Made this the other day and my husband LOVED it! He said “you can make this for me every day!” Lol! I used chicken thighs because I don’t like how chicken breast dries up so quickly. Turned out great!
Aww! That’s the best, Christina! Thank you for the wonderful review!
Lemon chicken my sauce was watery
Hi Karla, I haven’t experienced those results, but I am always happy to help troubleshoot. Heavy whipping cream is naturally pretty thick – I wonder if you possibly used a substitution instead of heavy whipping cream? Also, there shouldn’t be any off smell to it, but it should smell like an alfredo sauce with a hint of lemon to it. Could your heavy cream have gone bad? Also, make sure to use real lemon juice for best results, not concentrate. I hope that helps to figure out what may have gone wrong.
I love all of your recipes, but I’m not sure about this one. I was soo excited because it sounded amazing. I must have done something wrong….my sauce did not thicken at all…and it taste good but smells really weird. I’m not sure how to make it better but I’m gonna try putting it in the oven to thicken the sauce so it’s not like lemon milk:/
Hi Elizabeth, I haven’t experienced those results, but I am always happy to help troubleshoot. Heavy whipping cream is naturally pretty thick – I wonder if you possibly used a substitution instead of heavy whipping cream? Also, there shouldn’t be any off smell to it, but it should smell like an alfredo sauce with a hint of lemon to it. Could your heavy cream have gone bad? Also, make sure to use real lemon juice for best results, not concentrate. I hope that helps to figure out what may have gone wrong.
Simple. Yummy. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
I’m so happy you enjoyed that Ksusha!
Wow! Nice twist on basic chicken. Super easy to make, the whole fam enjoyed it! Deff will be a staple in our meal plans.
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us, Irina!
Hi! can this be made with half and half? If so, what would be the amount to sub? Thanks
Hi Rose, it would be a significantly thinner sauce and the parmesan doesn’t incorporate as readily with half and half so it would need to be modified. Also, half and half can curdle when lemon juice is added. This recipe is best made with whipping cream.
My family absolutely loved this dish….so delicious, yumz! Small tip – I had to pound my chicken breast for even cooking it was still quite thick after i had cut it in half. Thanks Natasha for sharing. Will definitely be making this again 🙂
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Emmy!
WOW! Just got done making it. So good!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Chris!
Would you call this a healthy meal?
Loved this recipe! My dish didn’t look quite as beautiful though. Need dishes like this blue one. Mind sharing where they are from?
Hi Jessica, some of our favorite tools including this dish can be found in our shop here.
Yum! That’s all that is needed to describe this dish!
I’m so happy you enjoyed that Nicole!
The end product was super good. However, take note that it may take you longer than 30 minutes to make. It took my husband and me a full hour, with both of us working. Maybe we’re just slow in the kitchen, maybe it had something to do with the brands we were using, or maybe it just takes the typical home cook longer than 30 minutes. If you are super efficient and don’t need to check the recipe much, then I’m sure you’ll fall closer to the estimated time.
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!
I made this the day you posted the video. My son’s friend was over and he said “you make the best food I’ve ever had!!!” Needless to say, it was all gone! Making it again tonight and doubling the recipe so I can have some for lunch tomorrow. (If I can hide it well enough in the fridge) 🙂
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Cami!
I love all of your recipes, thank you! I made this tonight and the only thing I did differently was to add the zest from a lemon to the panko crumbs before I squeezed the lemon into the sauce. This gave the chicken coating an extra boost of lemon…awesome!!!!
I love the extra lemon idea, Debbie! Thank you for sharing that with me!
I loved using the panko on the chicken! Turned out great!
That’s so awesome! I’m happy you enjoyed that!
One of my new favorite dinner recipes!
I’m so happy you enjoyed that Aimee!
Yum! We love this recipe, it’s perfect!
Sounds like you found a new favorite Sarah!
Pasta is always a winner in our house. Such a flavorful dish and so easy to make. Thanks!
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review!
This lemon sauce looks so good! I can’t wait to try it!
I hope you love it Krissy!
I need to feed 8 people. Is there anything I should do different or just literally double ALL the ingredients?
Thanks I’m so excited to try this one!
Hi Katrina, I would double it. Also, If you click “Jump to recipe” at the top of the post it will take you to our printable recipe where you’ll have the option to change the number of servings. Hover over the serving number highlighted in red and slide it to how many servings you would like to make. I hope that helps!
I made this tonight.. Quick meal.. super easy…very flavorful. YuM yummy 😋.
I’m happy you enjoyed that Donna! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.