One-Pot Creamy Lemon Chicken & Pasta
A rich, lemony pasta dish with tender chicken cooked in one pot—ready in 25 minutes with no extra dishes. This italian-american-inspired one pot ready in about 40 minutes pairs penne pasta, olive oil, diced onion 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
Instructions
- 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.
- Step 2: Add 1 diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, cooking for 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 5: Remove from heat, let sit for 2 minutes, then serve immediately with extra lemon zest.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Creamy Lemon Chicken & Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover One-Pot Creamy Lemon Chicken & Pasta?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Creamy Lemon Chicken & Pasta?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Pot Creamy Lemon Chicken & Pasta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with One-Pot Creamy Lemon Chicken & Pasta?
Italian-American one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 25-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
- ★★☆☆☆
The proportions seem off. Way too much of some ingredients.
