Lemon Chicken Pasta with Broccoli Recipe
A delightful and easy-to-make Lemon Chicken Pasta with Broccoli. This dish combines tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and fresh broccoli in a creamy lemon sauce.
Ingredients
For the Pasta:
- 8 oz penne or spaghetti pasta
- 2 cups broccoli florets
For the Chicken and Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- to taste Salt and black pepper
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 0.25 cup fresh lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook pasta and broccoli in boiling salted water until pasta is al dente, adding broccoli 3 minutes before draining.
- Cook chicken pieces in olive oil over medium-high heat until golden brown and cooked through; set aside.
- Sauté garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) in the same skillet. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, and heavy cream; simmer until thickened.
- Add pasta, broccoli, and chicken to the skillet with lemon sauce. Toss to coat. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy; adjust seasoning.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and Parmesan, if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the level of spiciness. For a lighter sauce, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
Nutrition
Calories: 550kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 25g | Sodium: 300mg