06/21/2026
Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta delivers a perfectly rich, zesty alfredo-style sauce paired with heavily seasoned, juicy grilled chicken cutlets.
Here is the full step-by-step recipe to recreate this exact dish:
Prep time: 15 mins | Cook time: 15 mins | Servings: 4
π Ingredients
The Chicken
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced horizontally into thin cutlets or strips)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp Italian seasoning (or dried oregano)
Β½ tsp onion powder
Β½ tsp salt and freshly cracked black pepper
The Pasta & Creamy Lemon Sauce
8β10 oz spaghetti or linguine
2 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 cup heavy cream (or whipping cream)
Β½ cup chicken broth (or dry white wine)
Zest of 1 lemon
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (adjust to taste)
Β½ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano or Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
ΒΌ cup fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped (plus extra for garnish)
1 lemon, sliced into wedges for serving
π³ Instructions
1. Boil the Pasta
Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil.
Add the spaghetti and cook until just shy of al dente (about 1β2 minutes less than the package instructions), as it will finish cooking in the sauce.
Crucial Step: Reserve at least Β½ cup of the starchy pasta water, then drain the noodles and set them aside.
2. Sear the Chicken
In a bowl, toss the thin chicken cutlets with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken strips in a single layer.
Sear for 3 to 4 minutes per side until beautifully browned and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165Β°F). Transfer to a plate, cover loosely with foil, and let it rest.
3. Build the Lemon Garlic Sauce
Turn the skillet heat down to medium. Melt the butter in the same pan, scraping up any delicious browned bits left by the chicken.
Add the minced garlic and sautΓ© for about 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant (don't let it burn!).
Pour in the chicken broth (or white wine) and lemon juice. Let it simmer and reduce by half (about 2 minutes).
Lower the heat to medium-low and slowly whisk in the heavy cream and lemon zest. Bring it to a very gentle simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until it begins to slightly thicken.
Whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until completely melted and smooth.
4. Toss and Assemble
Add the cooked pasta and the chopped fresh parsley directly into the simmering sauce.
Toss everything together for 1 to 2 minutes until the pasta is beautifully coated. If the sauce feels too thick, splash in a little of your reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
Slice your rested chicken cutlets into clean strips.
5. Plate and Serve
Twirl a generous portion of the creamy pasta onto a plate using a fork. Top it with the seasoned chicken strips, extra fresh parsley, a sprinkle of parmesan, and a fresh lemon wedge on the side. Enjoy!