Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne pasta or your favorite pasta
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Optional: red pepper flakes for added spice
Instructions
- Begin by boiling a large pot of salted water. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the sliced chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then add to the skillet. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from pan and set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in lemon zest and let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Add the cooked pasta and chicken back into the skillet. Toss to coat everything evenly with the lemon sauce. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and well combined.
- Transfer the zesty lemon chicken pasta to serving plates. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and optional red pepper flakes. Serve immediately for optimal flavor.
Notes
- Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best flavor.
- Adjust the lemon amount to your taste—more for extra zest!
- Cook the chicken until golden but not overdone to keep it juicy.
- Cheese and herbs are optional but add great flavor enhancements.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Nut-Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450 kcal Kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 61 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg