Lemon Pepper Chicken Pasta: An Easy Weeknight Meal

Treat your family to a delicious meal with this easy lemon pepper chicken pasta recipe. Loaded with fresh flavor and packed with protein, it’s sure to become a weeknight favorite!

REASONS TO MAKE THIS CHICKEN DISH

• Lemon pepper, garlic, and fresh lemon juice add such great flavor!
• Peas and carrots not only add great nutrients, they also add a perfect pop of color.
• The sauce isn’t loaded with butter and cream, so it’s much lighter than most creamy lemon pasta recipe.
• Neufchatel cheese makes the sauce thick and creamy, and adds a nice tangy flavor that works perfectly with the lemon.
• It’s ready in about 30 minutes, and for busy moms like me, that’s always a win!

HOW TO MAKE LEMON PEPPER CHICKEN PASTA

1. PASTA: Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to directions on package.
2. SEASON: Meanwhile, cut the chicken breast into cubes, then season chicken with the lemon pepper.
3. CHICKEN: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned, and juices run clear.
4. SAUCE: Remove chicken from the pan and cover with foil to keep warm. Add broth, cream cheese, lemon juice, zest, parmesan, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Cook and stir till cream cheese and parmesan are melted.
5. COMBINE: Add chicken, carrots, peas, and cooked pasta to the skillet. Turn heat to medium low; cook and stir till heated through.
6. SERVE: Garnish with additional grated parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot with your favorite sides!

LEFTOVER PASTA?

If you have any leftovers, they will last in the refrigerator for 3-4 days in an airtight container.I recommend reheating in the microwave for a minute or two. The noodles do tend so soak up some of the sauce, so I recommend adding a bit of milk or water before you heat it.

VARIATIONS:

• This dish doesn’t have an overabundance of sauce, which is why my kids like it. But you can double the sauce if that’s what your family likes.
• If you really love lemon flavor, I recommend using more than the 1 teaspoon of lemon zest.
• Instead of peas and carrots, you can use any vegetables you like. I think red peppers and broccoli would be tasty.
• Really in a hurry? You can just use diced or shredded rotisserie chicken.

What to serve with chicken and pasta

• Oven Roasted Cauliflower
• Carrots and Zucchini
• Sesame Green Beans
• Green Bean Casserole
• You can’t go wrong with a fresh green salad.

MORE CHICKEN DINNERS:

• Baked Bruschetta Chicken
• Bacon Chicken Ranch Pasta
• Chicken Mashed Potato Casserole
• Balsamic Chicken Salad

LEMON PEPPER CHICKEN AND PASTA

Lemon Pepper Pasta Chicken

Kara

Light creamy lemon sauce tossed over pasta, chicken, and veggies. An easy chicken dinner the family will love!

5 from 4 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Main Dish: Chicken

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Calories 481 kcal

Equipment

• Linden Sweden Flat Nylon Whisk, 10 ¼”
• T-fal, Nonstick 5 Qt. Skillet
• Stainless Steel Colander

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 12 oz dry pasta penne or rotini (about 4 cups dry)
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
• 1 ½ tsp lemon pepper seasoning
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 4 ounces Neufchatel cream cheese I prefer this lower fat variety for this recipe, it is creamier.
• 2 Tbsp lemon juice fresh is best
• 1 tsp fresh lemon zest or more!
• 2 Tbsp parmesan cheese
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp pepper
• ⅔ cup shredded carrots
• 1 cup frozen peas

Instructions

 

• Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to directions on package.
• Meanwhile, cut the chicken into cubes, then sprinkle with the lemon pepper.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned, an juices run clear.
• Remove chicken from pan and keep warm. Add broth, cream cheese, lemon juice, zest, parmesan, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Cook and stir till cream cheese and parmesan are melted.
• Add drained pasta, chicken, carrots, and peas to the skillet. Turn heat to medium low; cook and stir till heated through.
• Garnish with additional grated parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 481kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 43gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 109mgSodium: 624mgPotassium: 865mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 2728IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 86mgIron: 2mg

Keyword lemon pepper chicken pasta

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This lemon pepper pasta with chicken is a tasty and a rewarding weeknight meal that will satisfy the whole family!