Creamy Lemon Butter Chicken Pasta

**Creamy Lemon Butter Chicken Pasta** is the comforting meal that keeps my family coming back for seconds. I’ve made this dish over 50 times and this technique ensures the chicken stays juicy while the sauce stays rich. The lemon brightness and buttery richness make this dish craveable. Try my **Easy Steak Queso Rice Bowl** next if you want a different protein. Jump to Recipe If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Steak Queso Rice Bowl and Chewy German Chocolate Cookies.

What You'll Need for Creamy Lemon Butter Chicken Pasta

Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.

• 2 boneless chicken breasts
• 8 oz fettuccine pasta
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 lemon (zest and juice)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp dried thyme
• Optional: fresh parsley
• Optional: grated Parmesan
• Optional: crushed red pepper flakes

How to Make Creamy Lemon Butter Chicken Pasta

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add fettuccine and cook until al dente, 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until browned on both sides, 4-5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add remaining butter, garlic, and lemon zest. Cook 1 minute. Add lemon juice, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
4. Step 4: Add cooked pasta and broccoli to the skillet. Toss to coat in sauce. Add chicken and stir to heat through.
5. Step 5: Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon.

Storing & Reheating Creamy Lemon Butter Chicken Pasta

Short-Term Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Make the sauce and cook the pasta ahead, then assemble just before serving.

Freezing Creamy Lemon Butter Chicken Pasta

Freeze in a ziplock bag for up to 2 months.

How to Reheat Without Drying It Out

Oven: Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in short bursts, 30 seconds at a time, until warmed.

Recipe Notes

• Chef tip: Adding a splash of pasta water to the sauce helps it cling better to the pasta.
• Best substitution: Use white wine instead of lemon juice for a different flavor profile.
• Make-ahead: The chicken and broccoli can be prepped and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
• Scaling: Double the recipe for a larger crowd. Adjust cooking time accordingly.
• Troubleshooting: If the pasta is too dry, add a bit of pasta water to the sauce before mixing.

Creamy Lemon Butter Chicken Pasta

⏱

Prep

15 mins

🍳

Cook

20 mins

⏳

Total

35 mins

🍽

Serves

4 servings

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 2 boneless chicken breasts
• 8 oz fettuccine pasta
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 lemon (zest and juice)

Seasonings

• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp dried thyme

Optional Toppings

• fresh parsley
• grated Parmesan
• crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add fettuccine and cook until al dente, 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until browned on both sides, 4-5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add remaining butter, garlic, and lemon zest. Cook 1 minute. Add lemon juice, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
4. Step 4: Add cooked pasta and broccoli to the skillet. Toss to coat in sauce. Add chicken and stir to heat through.
5. Step 5: Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon.

Notes

• Chef tip: Adding a splash of pasta water to the sauce helps it cling better to the pasta.
• Best substitution: Use white wine instead of lemon juice for a different flavor profile.
• Make-ahead: The chicken and broccoli can be prepped and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
• Scaling: Double the recipe for a larger crowd. Adjust cooking time accordingly.
• Troubleshooting: If the pasta is too dry, add a bit of pasta water to the sauce before mixing.

Storage

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Freeze in a ziplock bag for up to 2 months.
• Oven reheat: Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes.
• Microwave reheat: Reheat in short bursts, 30 seconds at a time, until warmed.
• Make ahead: Make the sauce and cook the pasta ahead, then assemble just before serving.

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 420
• Protein: 25g
• Fat: 18g
• Carbs: 35g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 650mg
• Cholesterol: 85mg
• Sat. Fat: 10g

Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.

Creamy Lemon Butter Chicken Pasta FAQs

A Warm Final Note

I can’t wait for you to try Creamy Lemon Butter Chicken Pasta and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!