This Lemon Chicken Pasta is packed with flavor and is next-level delicious. With an incredible blend of seasonings, fresh herbs, and tangy lemon, it’s a pasta dish you’ll come back to again and again.

Why We Love This Lemon Chicken Pasta

If you are looking for an easy, downright delicious dinner idea.. you’ve come to the right place. This Lemon Chicken Pasta has been one that my kids have loved for years. The flavor is totally unique. The chicken is marinated in soy sauce, lemon juice, olive oil, and a slew of yummy seasonings. Then the final dish is tossed in a fresh herby mixture and topped with grated parmesan. It’s so bright and flavorful… I just know you’re going to love it as much as we do. Plus it’s impressive enough for entertaining, but simple enough for weeknight dinners.

And it comes together pretty fast, too! Dice up the chicken and get it marinating in the morning. Then once it is time to cook dinner, you can get the whole thing on the table in under 20 minutes. And is there anything better than an amazing dinner that you can get on the table in less time than it takes to run through the drive-thru? Maybe a personal chef. But until that day comes.. this is a really close second.

Ingredients You’ll Need to Make this Lemon Chicken Pasta:

For the Pasta:

• Linguine– this hearty pasta holds up well to the super flavorful sauce. Spaghetti noodles would also work.
• Olive Oil
• Lemon– You’ll use the juice and the zest for this recipe!
• Green Onions
• Fresh Parsley
• Parmesan Cheese– You’ll want to use shredded Parmesan cheese, not grated.
• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast

For the Marinade:

• Olive Oil
• Soy Sauce– I always use low-sodium soy sauce.
• Lemon Juice– You’ll want to make sure to use fresh lemon juice in this recipe!
• Fresh Garlic Cloves
• Brown Sugar
• Smoked Paprika
• Salt
• Garlic Powder
• Onion Powder
• Black Pepper
• Dried Thyme

How to Make this Insanely Delicious Lemon Chicken Pasta Dish:

1. Make the marinade. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, fresh garlic, brown sugar, and seasonings. Set aside.
2. Prep the chicken. Cut the chicken into small bite sized pieces. Place in a ziplock bag (or shallow bowl) and pour in the marinade. Refrigerate for at least an hour, or for up to 12 hours. The longer it sits the more tender and flavorful your chicken will be!
3. Mix up the herbs for the pasta. In a small bowl, stir together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, sliced green onions, and minced parsley.
4. Cook the pasta. Boil a large pot of water. Cook pasta to al dente according to the package directions. Drain and return the pasta to the pot.
5. Cook the chicken. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the chicken along with the marinade to the preheated pan. Spread in an even layer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through, about 5-6 minutes.
6. Toss everything together. Pour the cooked chicken and marinade over the drained pasta along with the lemon and herb mixture. Toss everything together, then toss with fresh parmesan cheese. Taste and season with kosher salt and cracked black pepper if desired. Top with fresh parsley and lemon wedges; serve immediately.

Tips & Suggestions

How do you jazz up boring pasta?

Pasta makes a regular appearance on dinner tables across the country for good reason. It’s fast, easy, economical, and can be prepared in countless different ways. But it can run the risk of getting boring. This recipe is anything but. The seasoning mix has a cajun spice flavor that gives the whole thing a flavorful heat. The soy sauce brings a nice umami flavor, and then the whole thing is brightened up with fresh herbs and tangy lemon juice.

What do you serve with Lemon Chicken Pasta?

I like to serve this pasta with a green veggie or nice salad. Here are some of my favorites:

Variations and Substitutions

Use fresh shrimp or salmon instead of chicken. If using shrimp, only marinate for about 30 minutes. Cook for 4-5 minutes or until pink and opaque.

If desired, you can use 2 teaspoons cajun seasoning in place of the seasoning mixture in the recipe. If you want extra heat, you can also add 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes.

You can use a variety of different pasta for this recipe. Fettuccini, linguini, or spaghetti are our favorites. But you could also make it with a short pasta like bowtie or ziti.

How should I store leftovers?

Store leftover lemon chicken pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

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