🍋 Lemon Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta

04/23/2025 | Neighbors Cooking | Recipes

Creamy, tangy, and absolutely comforting—this Lemon Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta is bursting with bright flavor and rich texture. It’s a perfect weeknight dinner that tastes like a restaurant dish!

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, butterflied
Salt & pepper to taste
1 tbsp olive oil

For the Pasta:

12 oz penne pasta
1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2” pieces
2 tbsp butter
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup milk or half-and-half
½ tsp dried thyme
⅓ cup grated Parmesan (plus more for topping)
Juice of ½ lemon
Optional: red pepper flakes or fresh parsley

Instructions

Cook Pasta & Asparagus:
- Bring salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook per package directions.
- Add asparagus in the last 4–5 minutes of cooking. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water. Drain and set aside.
Cook Chicken:
- Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Remove and let rest.
Make Sauce:
- In the same skillet, melt butter. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- Pour in broth and milk. Stir in thyme. Simmer for 8–10 minutes to thicken.
- Stir in Parmesan and lemon juice. Season to taste.
Combine:
- Slice chicken. Add pasta and asparagus to sauce, tossing gently.
- Add reserved pasta water to thin if needed. Top with sliced chicken and more Parmesan.
Serve Hot and garnish with lemon zest or parsley.