Description
This Lemon Chicken Pasta is a vibrant, flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts, fresh lemon juice, sautéed zucchini and yellow squash, and a creamy parmesan cheese finish. Perfectly seasoned and tossed with mini farfalle pasta, this recipe offers a bright and satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 16 ounces mini farfalle pasta
Chicken
- 2-3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder, divided
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Vegetables
- 1 zucchini, chopped
- 1 yellow squash, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce and Garnish
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Boil mini farfalle pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Season chicken: Season chicken breasts on both sides with salt, pepper, lemon zest, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and onion powder.
- Cook chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken and cook for 5 minutes on each side or until cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet, tent with foil to keep warm, and allow to rest.
- Cook vegetables: Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet. Sauté chopped zucchini and yellow squash with salt, pepper, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add cooked pasta to the skillet with vegetables. Stir in butter and fresh lemon juice, tossing until the butter has melted and the pasta is well coated.
- Add cheese and chicken: Sprinkle freshly grated parmesan cheese over the pasta, toss to combine, then chop the rested chicken and return it to the skillet, mixing everything together.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and additional parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately for best flavor.
Notes
- Use freshly grated parmesan cheese instead of pre-shredded for better flavor and melting texture.
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice significantly enhances the dish’s brightness and flavor.
- Fresh parsley adds vibrant flavor that dried parsley flakes cannot replicate.
- Vegetables can be substituted with broccoli, asparagus, spinach, or other favorites for variety.
- Feel free to use any bite-size pasta that you prefer or have on hand.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
