Lemon-Caper Creamy Chicken & Pasta
A one-pot wonder with tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a bright lemon-caper sauce that comes together in 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights. This Italian-American-inspired one-pot recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs penne pasta, boneless chicken breasts, extra-virgin olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb boneless chicken breasts
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp capers
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Nonstick skillets worth buying → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Cut 1 lb boneless chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook 5-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, stirring occasionally.
- Step 3: Add 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, then squeeze juice from 1 lemon over the chicken.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp capers and 1 cup heavy cream, then simmer for 3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 5: While sauce simmers, cook 12 oz penne pasta in salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 6: Add drained pasta to the skillet with sauce, tossing to coat. Add 2 tbsp reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley until combined.








