Zesty Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta Recipe for Family Joy

Weeknight dinners demand something quick, delicious, and satisfying like this mouthwatering chicken pasta recipe that comes together in under 30 minutes.

Tender chicken pieces dance through perfectly cooked pasta, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.

Creamy sauce hugs each strand, delivering comfort in every single bite.

Home cooks adore how simple ingredients combine to make something extraordinary.

Herbs and seasonings add depth and complexity to this straightforward meal.

Busy professionals and hungry families will savor every delectable forkful.

Dive into this recipe and watch dinner magic unfold.

Instructions to Prepare Chicken Pasta Easily

• Pasta Preparation

Boil water in a large pot, add salt generously. Cook pasta until tender, keeping some cooking water aside.

• Chicken Seasoning

Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. Mix with flour and herbs until evenly coated.

• Chicken Browning

Heat oil and butter in a skillet. Cook chicken until golden and crispy on all sides.

• Mushroom Magic

Sauté mushrooms in the same skillet until they develop a rich, deep color. Add shallots and cook until soft.

• Sauce Creation

Pour Marsala wine and vinegars into the skillet. Scrape pan to release flavorful bits. Return chicken to pan and let sauce reduce.

• Final Blend

Combine pasta with chicken and mushroom mixture. Sprinkle freshly grated cheese and chopped parsley. Toss gently, adding reserved pasta water if needed for smooth consistency. Serve hot with extra cheese on top.

Customization Ideas for Chicken Pasta Sauce

• Marinate chicken in buttermilk or yogurt for 30 minutes before cooking to ensure extra tenderness and deeper, richer taste profiles.
• Swap traditional pasta with gluten-free options like penne, farfalle, or whole wheat varieties to match dietary preferences and add unique texture.
• Incorporate additional vegetables like roasted bell peppers, spinach, or zucchini to increase nutritional value and create a more colorful, vibrant dish.
• Use a cast-iron or heavy-bottomed skillet to achieve optimal browning and develop rich, caramelized flavors during chicken and mushroom cooking stages.
• Replace Marsala wine with chicken broth, apple juice, or white grape juice for non-alcoholic versions that still provide depth and complexity to the sauce.

Serving Chicken Pasta for Family Dinners

• Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the rich Marsala flavors with a medium-bodied red wine like Pinot Noir or a crisp white Chardonnay that balances the dish's savory notes.
• Sides that Shine: Pair this chicken pasta with a light arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette or roasted seasonal vegetables to add freshness and balance the hearty main course.
• Bread Buddy Bonus: Serve with crusty garlic bread or a rustic focaccia to soak up the delicious Marsala sauce, ensuring no flavorful drop goes to waste.
• Garnish and Glow: Sprinkle extra fresh parsley and shaved Parmigiano cheese on top just before serving to enhance visual appeal and add a burst of fresh, salty flavor.

Storage Guide for Chicken Pasta That Stays Creamy

• Fridge Storage Strategy: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Use shallow containers to help cool the dish quickly and maintain optimal flavor and texture.
• Freezer-Friendly Approach: Portion the chicken pasta into individual meal-sized containers. Freeze for up to 2 months, ensuring you remove as much air as possible from the storage container to prevent freezer burn.
• Reheating Magic: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of chicken broth or pasta water to restore moisture and prevent drying out. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly.
• Meal Prep Wonder: Prepare ingredients in advance by cutting chicken, chopping herbs, and measuring spices. Store prepped components separately in the refrigerator for quick assembly during busy weeknights, saving time and reducing kitchen stress.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 7

Chicken Pasta: Full: Ingredient List

• Chicken Thighs: Tender and flavorful meat that creates a rich base for the dish, selecting bone-in thighs with good marbling ensures maximum juiciness and depth of flavor.
• Parmigiano Cheese: Nutty and sharp cheese that adds luxurious complexity and helps bind the sauce, choose a freshly grated block for optimal melting and taste.

• Flour: Creates a golden crispy exterior for chicken and helps thicken the sauce, use all-purpose flour for smooth coating.
• Oregano: Earthy herb that provides Mediterranean-inspired aromatic undertones, opt for dried oregano for concentrated flavor.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall dish seasoning, use coarse texture for better control and distribution.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and depth, freshly ground provides more vibrant taste.

• Olive Oil: Provides smooth cooking base with heart-healthy benefits, choose extra virgin for richer flavor.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create golden browning, unsalted butter gives more control over salt levels.
• Mushrooms: Earthy ingredient that adds umami and texture, select fresh cremini or button mushrooms for best results.
• Shallots: Delicate onion-like vegetable offering subtle sweetness, choose firm bulbs without blemishes.
• Marsala Wine: Adds sophisticated sweetness and depth, dry Marsala works best for savory dishes.
• Sherry Vinegar: Provides tangy brightness, choose aged Spanish variety for complex flavor.
• Balsamic Vinegar: Adds sweet-tart complexity, select aged traditional balsamic for richness.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that brightens dish and adds color, choose vibrant green leaves.

Tools You’ll Want to Make Creamy Chicken Pasta

• Large pot: For boiling pasta with plenty of water.
• Large skillet or braiser: Essential for browning chicken and cooking sauce.
• Large bowl: Used for dredging chicken in flour and seasonings.
• Grater: For grating Parmigiano cheese over the dish.
• Cutting board: To cut chicken into pieces.
• Sharp knife: For precise chicken cutting.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: To stir and toss ingredients while cooking.
• Measuring cups and spoons: For accurate ingredient quantities.

Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Mediterranean chicken pasta combines succulent chicken with aromatic herbs and fresh vegetables in a creamy sauce. Pasta enthusiasts can savor this comforting dish that brings Mediterranean flavors directly to your plate.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2.5–3 lbs (1.1–1.4 kg) chicken thighs, boneless, skinless
• 1 lb (454 g) pappardelle or other long, flat pasta
• 2 pints white button mushrooms, stems removed, caps thinly sliced
• ¾ cup dry marsala cooking wine
• 4 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsps unsalted butter
• 2 medium shallots, thinly sliced
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ tsps kosher salt
• ¼ cup Parmigiano Reggiano, grated
• ¼ cup sherry vinegar
• 2 tbsps balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbsps fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Boil a generously salted water pot, cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve a cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining, ensuring perfect pasta texture.
2. Chicken Seasoning: Slice chicken thighs into uniform bite-sized pieces. Create a flavorful dredging mixture combining flour, dried herbs, salt, and ground pepper. Thoroughly coat chicken pieces in the aromatic seasoning blend.
3. Chicken Searing: Heat a skillet with olive oil and butter, creating a golden-brown sear on chicken pieces. Cook without frequent stirring, allowing each piece to develop a rich, caramelized exterior. Rotate to ensure even cooking and complete doneness.
4. Vegetable Infusion: In the same skillet, caramelize mushrooms to develop deep, complex flavors. Add finely chopped shallots, cooking until translucent and releasing their aromatic essence.
5. Sauce Development: Deglaze the pan with Marsala wine and complementary vinegars, scraping up the flavorful fond from the skillet’s bottom. Return chicken to the pan, allowing the sauce to reduce and intensify its flavor profile.
6. Final Assembly: Combine pasta with the robust sauce, incorporating reserved cooking liquid to create a silky, luxurious coating. Generously sprinkle freshly grated Parmigiano and chopped parsley, ensuring every pasta strand is thoroughly dressed.
7. Serving: Perform a final taste test, adjusting seasonings as needed. Plate immediately, garnishing with additional cheese and fresh parsley for an elegant and appetizing presentation.

Notes

• Maximize Flavor Layering: Season each ingredient thoroughly and build depth by using the same skillet for multiple components, capturing rich caramelized remnants.
• Achieve Perfect Chicken Texture: Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure golden-brown exterior and prevent steaming, which reduces crispy potential.
• Pasta Water Magic: Reserve starchy cooking liquid as a secret weapon for creating silky, clingy sauce that perfectly embraces pasta strands.
• Balance Wine Deglazing: Use Marsala and vinegar carefully to intensify flavors without overwhelming the delicate chicken and mushroom profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg