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- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 cup chicken broth - 1 cup heavy cream - 12 oz uncooked pasta (fettuccine or penne work well) The base of this dish is simple yet tasty. Chicken breasts give you good protein. Olive oil adds a nice flavor. Garlic brings a lovely aroma. Chicken broth keeps the dish moist. Heavy cream makes it rich and creamy. For pasta, you can choose fettuccine or penne. Both work great! - 1 lemon (zested and juiced) - 1 teaspoon dried thyme - Salt and pepper to taste - 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 2 cups baby spinach - Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Lemon is key for brightness. You’ll use both zest and juice for that zing. Dried thyme adds a touch of earthiness. Salt and pepper are crucial for seasoning. Grated Parmesan gives a cheesy finish. Baby spinach not only looks good but also adds nutrients. Fresh parsley makes a great garnish. {{ingredient_image_1}} First, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add 1 lb of cubed chicken breasts. This will bring a nice sear to the chicken. Season the chicken with salt and pepper to taste. Cook it until it turns golden brown, which should take about 5 to 7 minutes. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside. In the same pot, add 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté them for about 1 minute. You want to smell that wonderful garlic aroma but be careful not to burn it. Next, pour in 1 cup of chicken broth and 1 cup of heavy cream. Stir to mix everything well. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer. This is where the magic begins. Now, add the juice and zest of 1 lemon to the pot. This will give the sauce a bright and zesty flavor. Mix in 1 teaspoon of dried thyme for a hint of earthiness. Now it’s time to add the pasta. Use 12 oz of uncooked fettuccine or penne. Make sure the pasta is submerged in the sauce. Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover it. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, usually around 10 to 12 minutes. Stir occasionally to keep it from sticking. When the pasta is cooked, you’ll notice the sauce thickening. Stir in the cooked chicken, 2 cups of baby spinach, and 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. The cheese will melt into the sauce, making it creamy and delicious. Adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Let the dish sit off the heat for a couple of minutes to thicken further. Enjoy serving this simple yet tasty meal. To get that perfect creamy texture, remember to save some pasta water. This water has starch that helps thicken your sauce. Before draining the pasta, scoop out about a cup of the water. You can add this to your sauce later if it gets too thick. When adding cheese, always do it off the heat. This keeps the cheese from clumping and helps it melt smoothly. Stir in the grated Parmesan slowly for a rich, creamy finish. You can add more cheese if you love it cheesy! Want to boost the flavor? Add more lemon zest or juice for a brighter taste. It makes the dish fresh and tangy. You can also try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat. Other spices like Italian herbs or even a touch of smoked paprika can bring new life to your pasta. Experiment and find what you like best! Pro Tips Perfectly Cooked Pasta: To prevent overcooking, taste the pasta a minute before the package instructions suggest. It should be al dente, tender yet firm to the bite. Flavor Boost: For added depth, consider adding a splash of white wine after sautéing the garlic. Let it reduce before adding the broth for a richer flavor. Creamy Consistency: If the sauce becomes too thick, gradually add more chicken broth or cream until you reach your desired consistency. Fresh Herbs: Incorporate fresh herbs like basil or dill at the end for an extra layer of freshness and flavor in your dish. {{image_2}} You can change the protein in this dish easily. If you want a twist, try shrimp or tofu instead of chicken. Shrimp cooks fast and adds a nice seafood flavor. Tofu is a great choice for a plant-based meal. Just be sure to press it to remove extra water for better flavor. You can also use different meats like sausage or beef. Sausage adds a spicy kick, while beef gives a hearty taste. Brown the meat first, just like you do with chicken. This step adds depth to your sauce. To make a vegetarian or vegan version, swap out the chicken broth and cream. Use vegetable broth for a rich base. For creaminess, try coconut milk or cashew cream. Both give a nice texture and flavor. Incorporating more veggies is another great idea. Spinach is perfect, but you can also add bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms. Sauté the veggies with garlic to bring out their flavors. This way, you create a colorful, healthy dish that everyone can enjoy. To keep your One Pot Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta fresh, store it in an airtight container. Make sure it cools down before sealing. Place it in the fridge within two hours of cooking. This way, you can keep the flavors intact. You can enjoy your leftovers for up to three days. After that, the texture and taste may change. When it's time to enjoy your pasta again, reheating correctly is key. You can use the microwave or stovetop. For the microwave, place your pasta in a bowl. Add a splash of water or cream to help keep it moist. Heat it in short bursts of 30 seconds, stirring in between. This prevents it from drying out. For the stovetop, heat a skillet over low heat. Add a little butter or oil, then add your pasta. Stir gently, adding a bit of chicken broth or cream to keep it creamy. This method helps maintain the dish's rich texture and flavor. Enjoy your delicious meal again! Yes, you can freeze this dish. After it cools, place it in an airtight container. It stays good for up to three months in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Reheat it on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to help restore its creamy texture. To keep your pasta from sticking, use plenty of water when boiling. Add a pinch of salt to the water for flavor. Stir the pasta often during cooking. Once cooked, drain it quickly and toss it with a little olive oil. This helps prevent clumping. You can also add the pasta directly to the sauce while it’s still hot. This creamy pasta pairs well with many sides. A simple green salad adds freshness. Garlic bread is great for soaking up the sauce. You could also serve roasted vegetables for a healthy touch. For a bit of crunch, try serving with toasted pine nuts on top. Each option complements the flavors of the pasta. This blog post covered tasty recipes featuring creamy lemon garlic chicken pasta. We explored the main ingredients like chicken, olive oil, and garlic, plus useful seasonings like lemon and thyme. I shared step-by-step instructions for preparing everything, from chicken to sauce and pasta. You can customize your dish with protein swaps or make it vegetarian. Finally, I provided tips for storage and reheating leftovers efficiently. Remember, cooking is fun and creative. Enjoy experimenting with flavors and making this dish your own!

One Pot Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta

A delicious and creamy pasta dish with chicken, garlic, and a hint of lemon, all cooked in one pot for easy cleanup.
Print Recipe Save Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 12 oz uncooked pasta (fettuccine or penne)
  • 1 lemon zested and juiced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups baby spinach
  • to garnish fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot or deep skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the cubed chicken and season with salt and pepper. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from the pot and set aside.
  • In the same pot, add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  • Pour in the chicken broth and add the heavy cream. Stir to combine, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  • Add the pasta to the pot, ensuring it is submerged in the liquid. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover. Cook according to pasta package instructions, usually about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Once the pasta is cooked and the sauce has thickened, stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, dried thyme, and cooked chicken. Mix well to combine.
  • Add the baby spinach and stir until wilted and incorporated into the creamy mixture.
  • Lastly, sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and creamy. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
  • Remove from heat and let it sit for a couple of minutes to thicken further.

Notes

Serve with fresh parsley and lemon wedges for garnish.
Keyword chicken, creamy, lemon, one pot, pasta