Description
A delightful and quick family dish that combines tender chicken with a creamy lemon sauce over al dente spaghetti.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast (sliced in half lengthwise)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning (divided)
- 2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
- Kosher salt (to taste)
- Freshly cracked black pepper (to taste)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- 1 lb spaghetti
- 6 cloves garlic (finely minced)
- 1 whole lemon (zested and juiced, about 3 tbsp juice)
- 1.5 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly shaved Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook spaghetti until al dente, about 8-9 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining. Drain the spaghetti, toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, slice each chicken breast in half lengthwise to create thinner cutlets. Let the chicken rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes if time allows.
- In a shallow bowl, mix the flour, 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, lemon pepper seasoning, salt, and pepper. Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken and keep warm.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Add minced garlic, the remaining teaspoon of Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper, then let the sauce thicken for 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
- Add the cooked spaghetti to the sauce, tossing to coat. If too thick, add reserved pasta water 2 tablespoons at a time.
- Slice the cooked chicken into strips and return it to the pan, stirring until heated through.
- Serve immediately, garnished with parsley and lemon wedges.
Notes
Pairs well with a light side salad or garlic bread. Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: creamy pasta, chicken pasta, lemon chicken recipe, quick dinner, family meal