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)
- Sauteeย 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 165หF. 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
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Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
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 ๐
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Emmy!
WOW! Just got done making it. So good!
Iโm so glad you enjoyed it, Chris!
Would you call this a healthy meal?
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.
Iโm 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) ๐
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 Iโm 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 youโll 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 ๐.
I’m happy you enjoyed that Donna! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.