The Zestiest Lemon OnePan Pasta Recipe Ready in 20 Minutes

This zesty lemon one-pan pasta crafts ordinary ingredients into a culinary adventure that promises simplicity and explosive flavor.

Weeknight cooking demands smart strategies that minimize cleanup while maximizing taste and satisfaction.

pasta lovers understand the magic of consolidated cooking techniques that streamline meal preparation without sacrificing quality.

Smart chefs recognize how strategic ingredient combinations can elevate a basic dish into something spectacular.

The delicate citrus notes dance harmoniously with tender noodles, creating a balanced and refreshing dining experience.

Kitchen efficiency meets gourmet potential through this innovative cooking approach that saves time and delights taste buds.

Curious cooks will find themselves enchanted by the seamless blend of convenience and creativity.

Lemon One-Pan Pasta That Delivers Bright Flavor Fast

• Streamline Cooking Technique: Enjoy a full meal prepared entirely in one skillet, reducing dishwashing time and simplifying the entire cooking process with minimal kitchen cleanup.
• Flavor Explosion: Experience a delightful blend of zesty lemon, creamy Parmesan, and tender chicken that creates a restaurant-quality dish bursting with bright, tangy, and rich taste profiles.
• Quick Weeknight Wonder: Whip up this impressive pasta in just 25 minutes, making it perfect for busy families seeking a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen or requiring complex culinary skills.
• Customizable Comfort: Easily adjust heat levels with red pepper flakes, swap proteins, or modify ingredients to suit personal preferences while maintaining the recipe's core deliciousness and simplicity.

Ingredient Breakdown for Lemon One-Pan Pasta

• Chicken: Lean protein that provides the main substance of the dish, boneless and skinless for easy cooking.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds rich, salty flavor and helps thicken the sauce, aged variety recommended for best taste.

• Chicken Stock: Creates deep savory base for the sauce, low-sodium preferred for better control of salt.
• White Wine: Adds complexity and acidity to the sauce, dry varieties work best.
• Half and Half: Provides creamy texture and richness to the sauce, room temperature helps prevent curdling.
• Lemon Juice: Brings bright, fresh citrus notes to balance the richness.

• Garlic: Provides intense, aromatic flavor base, fresh cloves recommended over pre-minced.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning to enhance overall dish flavor.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Adds subtle heat and complexity.
• Parsley: Fresh herb for garnish and bright green color.
• Lemon Zest: Intensifies citrus flavor and adds aromatic notes.

• Pasta: Holds sauce well, can be broken to fit pan, medium-length pasta preferred.

• Butter: Adds richness and helps create smooth sauce base.
• Oil: Helps prevent sticking and provides initial cooking medium.

Simmer Up a Creamy One-Pan Lemon Pasta Dish

Step 1: Prepare Chicken

• Generously coat chicken with seasoning on both sides
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat
• Cook chicken undisturbed for 3-4 minutes
• Flip chicken once
• Add chicken stock
• Reduce heat to simmer
• Cover pan
• Cook for additional 5 minutes
• Remove chicken and set aside on a plate covered with foil

Step 2: Create Sauce Base

• Melt butter in the same skillet over medium heat
• Add minced garlic
• Cook for 1 minute until fragrant
• Season with salt and pepper

Step 3: Build Sauce Layers

• Pour white wine
• Cook for 2 minutes to reduce slightly
• Add chicken stock and lemon juice
• Gradually pour half and half
• Bring to gentle boil

Step 4: Cook Pasta

• Add pasta to skillet
• Break pasta in half if needed
• Simmer for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently
• Reduce heat to low
• Continue simmering until pasta reaches al dente texture

Step 5: Finish and Garnish

• Gradually incorporate Parmesan cheese
• Let sauce thicken naturally
• Sprinkle with fresh parsley
• Add lemon zest
• Scatter red pepper flakes
• Toss ingredients thoroughly
• Serve with sliced chicken
• Top with additional Parmesan cheese

Pro Tips to Nail This Lemon Pasta in One Go

• Prevent Pasta Sticking: Stir frequently during cooking to ensure even sauce distribution and prevent noodles from clumping together.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Adjust liquid levels by adding small amounts of chicken stock if sauce becomes too thick or dry during simmering.
• Maximize Flavor Infusion: Let the pasta rest for 2-3 minutes after cooking to allow it to absorb the lemon and garlic-infused sauce completely.
• Achieve Perfect Chicken Sear: Use a heavy-bottomed skillet and avoid moving chicken while cooking to develop a golden, crispy exterior.
• Enhance Herb Freshness: Chop parsley just before serving to maintain its vibrant color and release maximum aromatic oils for a brighter dish.

Best Storage Method for Lemon One-Pan Pasta Leftovers

• Refrigeration: Store leftover pasta in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheating Stovetop: Warm pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken stock or water to restore moisture. Stir gently until heated through, about 3-4 minutes.
• Microwave Method: Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly.

What to Serve With Lemon One-Pan Pasta

• Elevate Wine Pairing: Complement the lemon one-pan pasta with a crisp, unoaked chardonnay or sauvignon blanc. These wines match the dish's bright citrus notes and creamy sauce, creating a balanced flavor profile that enhances the chicken and pasta.
• Fresh Herbal Side Kick: Serve a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette alongside the pasta. The peppery greens will cut through the richness of the cream sauce and provide a refreshing contrast to the warm, cheesy dish.
• Crusty Bread Companion: Include a rustic sourdough or rosemary focaccia to soak up the delicious sauce. The bread's subtle flavor and crispy texture will perfectly complement the creamy, lemony pasta and add an extra dimension to the meal.
• Zesty Drink Finale: Pair with a limoncello spritzer for a playful, citrusy ending. The bright, sweet-tart liqueur echoes the lemon in the dish and offers a delightful palate cleanser after the rich pasta.

Lemon Pasta Variations That Surprise and Delight

• Mediterranean Magic: Replace white wine with dry vermouth, add kalamata olives, and sprinkle crumbled feta cheese instead of Parmesan for a Greek-inspired version.
• Spicy Southwest Spin: Swap chicken stock with tomato salsa, incorporate diced green chiles, use pepper jack cheese, and top with chopped cilantro for a zesty southwestern flavor profile.
• Creamy Herb Garden: Substitute half and half with heavy cream, mix in fresh chopped basil and thyme, and add roasted sun-dried tomatoes for an elevated herbal experience.
• Seafood Sensation: Replace chicken with sautéed shrimp or white fish, use seafood stock instead of chicken stock, and garnish with fresh dill and lemon wedges for a lighter maritime approach.

Lemon OnePan Pasta Recipe

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4.7 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Lemon one-pan pasta brings Italian simplicity to weeknight dinners with a zesty twist. Quick cooking and minimal cleanup make this dish a perfect solution for busy home cooks seeking delicious, hassle-free meals.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts
• ½ lb angel hair pasta
• ⅔ cup parmesan cheese, freshly shredded
• 1 lemon (zest and juice)

Seasonings and Spices:

• 1–2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning or all-purpose chicken seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• Red pepper flakes (to taste)
• 6 cloves fresh garlic, minced
• Fresh parsley (for garnish)

Liquids and Fats:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 tablespoons butter
• ⅓ cup chicken stock
• ¾ cup chicken stock
• ¾ cup dry white wine (Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, or Pinot Grigio)
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup half and half, room temperature

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Instructions

1. Generously coat chicken with seasoning on both surfaces, ensuring even coverage for maximum flavor infusion.
2. Warm oil in a spacious skillet over medium temperature, carefully placing chicken to sear without disturbance for 3-4 minutes.
3. Execute a single, precise flip, then introduce chicken stock, reducing heat to a gentle simmer and covering the pan for an additional 5 minutes.
4. Carefully transfer chicken to a plate, loosely tenting with foil to retain warmth and moisture.
5. Utilizing the same skillet, melt butter and introduce minced garlic, allowing it to become aromatic and fragrant for approximately one minute.
6. Season the developing sauce with salt and pepper, creating a foundational flavor profile.
7. Pour white wine into the skillet, allowing it to reduce and concentrate its essence for roughly two minutes.
8. Incorporate chicken stock and fresh lemon juice, creating a vibrant liquid base.
9. Gradually stream half and half into the mixture, bringing the sauce to a gentle, bubbling state.
10. Carefully add pasta, breaking longer pieces if needed to ensure even cooking, and initiate simmering while stirring frequently.
11. Reduce heat to low, continuing to simmer until pasta reaches perfect al dente texture.
12. Incrementally fold in Parmesan cheese, reserving a portion for final garnish, observing the sauce’s thickening progression.
13. Finish by sprinkling fresh parsley, bright lemon zest, and a touch of red pepper flakes for complexity.
14. Thoroughly toss ingredients to distribute flavors evenly.
15. Plate by arranging sliced chicken atop the pasta and crown with remaining Parmesan cheese.

Notes

• Perfectly sear chicken by leaving it undisturbed for 3-4 minutes to develop a golden-brown crust that locks in juicy flavors.
• Create a silky sauce by reducing wine and stock, which concentrates the flavors and provides a rich base for the creamy pasta.
• Break pasta noodles in half to ensure even cooking and easier stirring in the one-pan method, helping achieve that ideal al dente texture.
• Use gentle heat when adding Parmesan to prevent sauce separation, allowing it to melt smoothly and create a luxurious, creamy consistency.
• Finish with bright garnishes like lemon zest and parsley to add freshness and lift the entire dish’s flavor profile.
• Rest chicken under foil to retain moisture and warmth, ensuring tender, succulent meat when served alongside the vibrant pasta.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 745
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 65 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 37 g
• Cholesterol: 140 mg