Updated on January 27, 2026
This quick lemon garlic chicken pasta is your bright, 30-minute weeknight hero. Juicy chicken is sautéed with garlic, tossed with al dente pasta, and finished with butter, fresh lemon juice, and a sprinkle of Parmesan for a silky, restaurant-style sauce. It uses simple ingredients you probably already have on hand, and it all comes together in one pan plus the pasta pot, perfect for busy evenings and anyone looking for quick weeknight dinner ideas without extra dishes. If you enjoy quick chicken meals like this one, it also works well for beginners learning the basics of chicken meal prep for beginners, especially when you want fast dinners that can be prepped ahead.
Quick Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 12 oz (340 g) spaghetti or linguine
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb (450 g) chicken breast, cut into strips
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook 5–6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add garlic; sauté 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, and chicken broth. Simmer 2–3 minutes.
- Add butter and parmesan, stirring until melted into a light sauce.
- Return chicken and pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water as needed for creaminess.
- Garnish with parsley and extra parmesan. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- Can substitute shrimp for chicken.
- Use whole-wheat pasta for extra fiber.
Private Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts in this pasta?
Yes. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work very well here and stay juicy even if you reheat leftovers. Cut them into small bite-size pieces and cook them until golden and fully done before adding the garlic and deglazing the pan with pasta water and lemon.
How can I make this lemon garlic chicken pasta creamier?
For a creamier sauce, stir in a splash of heavy cream or a spoonful of cream cheese at the end, off the heat, along with the butter and Parmesan. Add extra reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce coats the pasta nicely without becoming too thick or heavy.
If you enjoy bright, satisfying pasta dinners like this, try our Creamy Garlic Mushroom Pasta for another quick weeknight option, or Budget Veggie Fried Rice when you want something just as fast but a little lighter on the budget.
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