Creamy Lemon Chicken Fettuccine
Here’s a bright, rich, and flavorful Creamy Lemon Chicken Fettuccine—a perfect balance of zesty citrus and creamy indulgence with tender chicken and silky pasta. It’s simple enough for a weeknight but elegant enough for entertaining
Total time
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (sliced into cutlets or strips)
Salt & pepper, to taste
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tbsp olive oil
For the Pasta & Sauce:
12 oz fettuccine pasta
2 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup chicken broth (or pasta water)
¾ cup grated parmesan cheese
Zest of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tbsp)
1 tsp lemon pepper seasoning (optional)
Salt & pepper, to taste
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
Boil fettuccine in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2. Cook the Chicken
Season chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Cook chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
3. Make the Creamy Lemon Sauce
In the same skillet, put 2 tbsp olive oil and sauté garlic for 30 seconds.
Stir in cream and chicken broth, bringing to a gentle simmer.
Add lemon zest, lemon juice, and parmesan. Stir until smooth and slightly thickened (3–4 minutes).
Season with salt, pepper, and lemon pepper seasoning, if using.
4. Combine
Slice chicken (if whole) and return to the skillet.
Add cooked fettuccine and toss to coat. Add pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
5. Serve
Plate with fresh parsley and extra parmesan. Serve with lemon wedges.
Tips & Variations
Add-ins: Spinach, asparagus, or peas are great here.
Light version: Use half-and-half and a splash of pasta water instead of cream.
No fettuccine: Swap with linguine, spaghetti, or even orzo.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 620
Protein: 36g
Carbs: 48g
Fat: 32g
Fiber: 2g
Sodium: 580mg