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Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Fettuccine (Best One-Pan Recipe)

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This creamy lemon garlic chicken fettuccine is a one-pan wonder that delivers restaurant-quality flavor in under 30 minutes. The silky sauce, juicy chicken, and bright lemon come together for a comforting meal that only dirties one skillet.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream (full fat)
  • 1 cup chicken broth (low sodium)
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 12 ounces fettuccine
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • Extra lemon wedges for serving

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers, place the chicken thighs in the pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook another 3-4 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the same pan and let it melt, scraping up browned bits. Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice, add lemon zest and red pepper flakes. Stir and let it come to a simmer. Cook for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
  5. Pour in heavy cream and stir until combined. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cook for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
  6. Add uncooked fettuccine directly to the sauce, breaking noodles in half if needed. Pour in 1 cup of water. Stir well, then nestle the seared chicken back into the pan. Cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  7. Remove lid and check that pasta is tender. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted. If sauce is too thick, add a splash of water or broth. If too thin, simmer uncovered for another minute.
  8. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice or shred the chicken, then return to the pan. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with extra lemon wedges.

Notes

Do not skip the resting step after cooking; the sauce thickens as it cools. For extra saucy pasta, increase cream and broth by half. Use freshly grated Parmesan for a smooth sauce. If sauce becomes grainy, whisk in a splash of cold cream or broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy lemon garlic chicken fettuccine, one-pan pasta, chicken fettuccine, lemon garlic pasta, easy weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://nadinetable.com/creamy-lemon-garlic-chicken-fettuccine-best-one-pan-recipe/