One-Pot Creamy Lemon Chicken & Pasta

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-06 · Updated 2026-04-06

A rich, lemony pasta dish with tender chicken cooked in one pot—ready in 40 minutes with no extra dishes. This Italian-American-inspired one-pot recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs penne pasta, boneless skinless chicken thighs, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 510 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
• 1.5 lbs, cut into 1-inch pieces boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1, diced onion
• 2, minced garlic cloves
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1, zested and juiced lemon
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 lbs chicken thighs (cut into 1-inch pieces) and cook for 5 minutes until browned on all sides.
2. Step 2: Add 1 diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, cooking for 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 12 oz penne pasta, 1 cup chicken broth, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Step 4: Reduce heat to medium-low, stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1 lemon (zested and juiced), and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley. Cook for 5 minutes until sauce thickens and coats pasta.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat, let sit for 2 minutes, then serve immediately with extra lemon zest.