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    Recipes » Recipes

    One Pot Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Jul 15, 2016 · Modified: Feb 12, 2021 by Dee

    One Pot Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta is a quick and easy meal that's not heavy at all. It's ready in just 30 minutes and perfect for busy nights!

    Jump to Recipe -

    easy-one-pot-creamy-lemon-chicken-pasta-bacon-broccoli

    The Hubs is probably the biggest chicken Alfredo lover I know. He's even been know to have the leftovers for breakfast! Personally, I love red sauce on pasta, so that's what I usually make. I just think it's healthier, although I sometimes compromise and make creamy tomato sauce, instead.

    And sometimes, I'll break down and make pasta with white sauce just to keep the peace around here. So the other day, the Hubs asked if I would make a one-pot chicken Alfredo, and I agreed. But instead of the traditional version, with a heavy sauce, I decided to keep this chicken pasta dish on the lighter side.

    It's still creamy, but it's definitely not heavy -- I'll save that for cooler weather. This lighter, summerized (is that even a word?) version has lemon, a little bit of Parmesan and some broccoli so you get a one-dish meal with pasta and veggies too!

    easy-one-pot-creamy-lemon-chicken-pasta-broccoli-

    How to Make One Pot Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta

    Recipe

    easy-one-pot-creamy-lemon-chicken-pasta-bacon-broccoli

    One Pot Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta

    Published by Dee
    A lighter alternative to Chicken Alfredo, this one pot creamy lemon chicken pasta is ready in 30 minutes and very family friendly
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Share by Email
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    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 to 8 servings
    Calories 578 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ pounds chicken tenders cubed
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon garlic
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • ½ teaspoon pepper
    • 2 ½ cups water
    • 2 cups mini penne pasta
    • Juice of 1 lemon
    • 2 cups broccoli florets
    • 1 ½ cups heavy cream
    • 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
    • Cooked bacon bits and fresh parsley optional

    Instructions
     

    • In a large pot or skillet, brown the chicken in olive oil, and season with salt and pepper
    • Add the garlic and saute until soft
    • Add the lemon juice
    • Add the water and mini penne, turn heat to high, cover and cook until pasta is slightly soft
    • Stir in the broccoli
    • Add the cream and Parmesan cheese, reduce heat to medium, and cook until pasta is done
    • Top with cooked bacon and parsley if desired

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 578kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 37gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 168mgSodium: 814mgPotassium: 664mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1240IUVitamin C: 29.2mgCalcium: 257mgIron: 1.3mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    I also couldn't resist adding some parsley and a few pieces of cooked bacon at the end. The parsley gives the pasta a little extra freshness, and the bacon -- well, it's bacon! And, everything's better with bacon, right? I should add that I usually have have cooked bacon leftover from the weekend, and it's handy for adding some to recipes whenever I want to. It's optional here, so if you don't have any, don't worry about it.

    There are a few lemon slices in there, as well. The recipe itself calls for lemon juice, but the lemon slices add some additional flavor and a nice pop of color.

    I've said it before, but we really do eat first with our eyes. My kids always laugh when I say this, but even though this is quick one dish meal, I still want it to look appealing -- know what I mean? 

    easy-one-pot-creamy-lemon-chicken-pasta-bowl

    I think this dish definitely looks appealing, but even better, it tastes good too!

    One Pot Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta Recipe

    My family gave this easy one pot creamy lemon chicken pasta dish a collective thumbs up, and even the Hubs was happy with it. It's perfect for busy weeknights or even weekends, when you want an easy meal with easy clean-up.

    But, don't just take our word for it -- I hope you'll try it yourself. And if you do, be sure to let me know what you think!

    Happy cooking!

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    Sharing At

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Mary Bostow says

      August 16, 2016 at 5:43 am

      Thank you for sharing at Delicious Dishes Recipe Party!!

      Reply
    2. Miz Helen says

      July 29, 2016 at 10:38 am

      Congratulations!
      Your recipe is featured on Full Plate Thursday this week. Enjoy your new Red Plate and have a fantastic weekend!
      Miz Helen5 stars

      Reply
    3. Easy Peasy Life Matters says

      July 21, 2016 at 10:21 pm

      This sounds so divine! Can't go wrong with bacon! 🙂

      Reply
    4. OddHogg says

      July 21, 2016 at 12:58 am

      Looks delicious! Might end up on our menu for next week!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        July 21, 2016 at 10:54 am

        Thanks -- Let me know how it turns out! 🙂

    5. Leanna says

      July 20, 2016 at 8:48 pm

      Lemon and chicken is so good. I will try this recipe because it was a one pot meal. They are the best reipes.

      Reply
      • Dee says

        July 21, 2016 at 10:54 am

        Oh, I agree -- One pot meals are awesome!

    6. Cathy Trochelman says

      July 18, 2016 at 1:41 pm

      There's something about pasta....and cream.....that's totally calling my name right now! This looks delicious!

      Reply
    7. Sandi (@fearless_dining) says

      July 17, 2016 at 10:04 pm

      I love how quick and easy this recipe is. Perfect for back to school nights.

      Reply
    8. Nutmeg Nanny says

      July 17, 2016 at 8:01 pm

      I love that this is one-pot and oh so creamy! What a great looking pasta.

      Reply
    9. Michelle | A Latte Food says

      July 17, 2016 at 12:00 pm

      Ooh I love alfredo too! I love that you lightened it up a bit too!

      Reply
    10. carrie @ frugal foodie mama says

      July 17, 2016 at 8:07 am

      Wow! This looks & sounds amazing! 🙂 And you can beat one pan and just 30 minutes to make this.

      Reply
    11. Cookin Canuck says

      July 16, 2016 at 7:52 pm

      I'll bet the lemon adds a fantastic brightness to this creamy sauce. Wonderful pasta dish!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        July 17, 2016 at 10:51 pm

        Thanks! The lemon does make the pasta light and bright. 🙂

    12. Krista says

      July 15, 2016 at 7:26 pm

      This is my kind of dinner!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        July 15, 2016 at 10:17 pm

        Thanks so much, Krista -- It's mine too!

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    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

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