• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Effortless Foodie
  • About
  • Contact
  • Recipes
  • Privacy Policy
  • Subscribe
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Ebooks
  • Resources
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Ebooks
    • Resources
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Pasta

    Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta

    Published: Jun 22, 2022 · Modified: Nov 15, 2022 by Beth Sachs · 5 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe
    Creamy lemon chicken pasta pin.

    A deliciously creamy lemon chicken pasta recipe! Quick, easy to make, and best of all it's on the table in under 30 minutes!

    The chicken pasta is enveloped in a silky smooth creme fraiche lemon sauce, flavoured with grated Parmesan and basil. It's is a real crowd-pleaser, and perfect in the summer months with a crisp green salad on the side!

    Creamy lemon chicken pasta with basil.

    Would you like to save this?

    We'll email you this post for easy access later! You'll also join the Effortless Foodie mailing list and receive my popular 'No Bake Bars and Slices' eBook for free!

    This site is protected by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

    My whole family rave about this dish and ask for it often! But I don't mind, I could eat it every day of the week if I had to!

    It's light, summery, and really filling, and therefore ideal for growing kids and teenagers!

    👩‍🍳 Love chicken pasta? Try my BBQ chicken pasta recipe too!

    Jump to:
    • ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
    • 🛒 Ingredient notes
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 💭 Expert tips
    • 🍴 Serving suggestions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🥡 Storage
    • 😋 More chicken pasta recipes
    • Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!

    • Quick and easy creamy chicken pasta recipe.
    • Great for a weeknight dinner.
    • Uses creme fraiche rather than cream.
    • The perfect balance of carbs and protein.
    • Filling and delicious.
    • Perfect for lemon lovers.

    🛒 Ingredient notes

    • Pasta - I used spaghetti but angel hair pasta would also work well, as would any other type of pasta shape.
    • Chicken - skinless boneless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bitesize chunks.
    • Olive Oil - for frying.
    • Onion - one standard brown onion, chopped finely.
    • Garlic - three cloves (we like it garlicky!), finely chopped.
    • Plain Flour - helps thicken the sauce.
    • Chicken Stock - made from a stock cube or stock pot.
    • Creme Fraiche - must be full-fat or use sour cream.
    • Frozen Peas - or petit pois.
    • Basil - you could also use parlsey
    • Lemon - use an unwaxed lemon for the best flavour.
    • Parmesan - finely grated.
    • Salt and Pepper.

    🔪 Instructions

    The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post

    One: Cook the pasta to al dente in a pan of salted water, and then drain (reserving 1 cup of cooking water). Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a shallow casserole or skillet and fry the chicken pieces until browned. Remove to a plate.

    Two: Add another tablespoon of olive oil to the pan and gently cook the onions and garlic on a medium heat until soft.

    Three: Stir in the flour.

    Four: Whisk in the stock and creme fraiche.

    Step by step photo instructions for making lemon chicken pasta.

    Five: Add the peas, chopped basil, lemon zest and lemon juice and give it a stir.

    Six: Add the browned chicken back into the pan along with the grated Parmesan, salt and pepper. Simmer for 8-10 minutes to thicken the sauce.

    Seven: Add the cooked spaghetti to the pan, along with enough of the reserved pasta cooking water to make a silky smooth sauce.

    Eight: Serve with more basil and grated Parmesan.

    Creamy lemon chicken pasta with basil and Parmesan.

    💭 Expert tips

    • Add salt to your pasta cooking water. You should cook pasta in water that is as salty as the Mediterranean!
    • Don't forget to reserve the pasta cooking water. It helps the pasta sauce to emulsify and become silky smooth.

    🍴 Serving suggestions

    Serve the lemon chicken pasta with homemade focaccia, a side salad (this goat's cheese and beetroot salad is a delicious option), with extra Parmesan on the table for those that like their pasta dishes really cheesy!

    A cheeky glass of sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio always goes down well with the adults!

    Creamy lemon chicken spaghetti ni a red pan.

    📖 Variations

    • Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the finished dish.
    • Use double cream (heavy cream) instead of creme fraiche for a richer flavour.
    • Add more vegetables! Baby spinach would work well and wilt into the hot sauce.
    • Add a splash of white wine after cooking the onions.
    • Add a teaspoon of Italian seasoning at the same time as the flour.
    • Use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of chicken breasts.
    • Garnish with crispy bacon bits for extra flavour.
    • Use penne pasta instead of spaghetti.
    • Make a creamy lemon chicken pasta bake.

    🥡 Storage

    Store: Leftovers should be placed in an airtight container and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    Reheat: Place in a microwaveable bowl and reheat on high until piping hot.

    Freeze: Allow to cool then place in a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge.

    Creamy lemon chicken spaghetti around a fork.

    😋 More chicken pasta recipes

    • Creamy Paprika Chicken Pasta
    • Coronation Chicken Pasta Salad
    • Cajun Chicken Pasta
    • Rasta Pasta with Chicken
    • Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake

    You might also like my chicken and vegetable stew recipe!

    Don't forget to subscribe to the newsletter to stay up to date with what's cooking in the Effortless Foodie kitchen! You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram too!

    Recipe

    Lemon chicken pasta with basil.
    Email
    Print Pin
    5 from 8 votes

    Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta

    A deliciously creamy lemon chicken pasta recipe! Quick, easy to make, and best of all it's on the table in under 30 minutes!
    Course Pasta
    Cuisine Italian
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 25 minutes minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes minutes
    Servings 4
    Calories 735kcal
    Author Beth Sachs
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Would you like to save this?

    We'll email you this post for easy access later! You'll also join the Effortless Foodie mailing list and receive my popular 'No Bake Bars and Slices' eBook for free!

    This site is protected by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

    Equipment

    • Chopping Board
    • Kitchen Scales
    • Shallow Casserole
    • Knife
    • Wooden Spoon
    • Saucepan

    Ingredients

    Metric - US Customary
    • 300 g Pasta
    • 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
    • 2 Chicken Breasts cut into bitesize pieces
    • 1 Onion chopped
    • 3 Garlic Cloves finely chopped
    • 1 tablespoon Plain Flour
    • 450 ml Chicken Stock
    • 200 g Creme Fraiche
    • 150 g Frozen Peas
    • 2 tablespoon Basil chopped finely
    • 1 Lemon zest and juice
    • 75 g Parmesan grated
    • 1 teaspoon Salt
    • ½ teaspoon Black Pepper

    Instructions

    • Cook the pasta to al dente in a pan of salted water, and then drain (reserving 1 cup of cooking water). 
      300 g Pasta
    • Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a shallow casserole or skillet and fry the chicken pieces until browned. Remove to a plate.
      2 tablespoon Olive Oil, 2 Chicken Breasts
    • Add another tablespoon of olive oil to the pan and gently cook the onions and garlic on a medium heat until soft.
      2 tablespoon Olive Oil, 1 Onion, 3 Garlic Cloves
    •  Stir in the flour.
      1 tablespoon Plain Flour
    • Whisk in the stock and creme fraiche.
      450 ml Chicken Stock, 200 g Creme Fraiche
    • Add the peas, chopped basil, lemon zest and lemon juice and give it a stir.
      150 g Frozen Peas, 2 tablespoon Basil, 1 Lemon
    • Add the browned chicken back into the pan along with the grated Parmesan, salt and pepper. Simmer for 8-10 minutes to thicken the sauce.
      75 g Parmesan, 1 teaspoon Salt, ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
    • Add the cooked spaghetti to the pan, along with enough of the reserved pasta cooking water to make a silky smooth sauce. Serve with more basil and grated Parmesan.
      300 g Pasta

    Notes

    Expert Tips:
    • Add salt to your pasta cooking water. You should cook pasta in water that is salty as the Mediterranean!
    • Don't forget to reserve the pasta cooking water. It helps the pasta sauce to emulsify and become silky smooth.
     
    Variations:
    • Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the finished dish.
    • Use double cream (heavy cream) instead of creme fraiche for a richer flavour.
    • Add more vegetables! Baby spinach would work well and wilt into the hot sauce.
    • Add a splash of white wine after cooking the onions.
    • Add a teaspoon of Italian seasoning at the same time as the flour.
    • Use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of chicken breasts.
    • Garnish with crispy bacon bits for extra flavour.
     
    Storage:
    Store: Leftovers should be placed in an airtight container and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
    Reheat: Place in a microwaveable bowl and reheat on high until piping hot.
     
    Nutrition:
    The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
     
    Nutrition Facts
    Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    735
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    27
    g
    42
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    11
    g
    69
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    0.1
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    3
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    9
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    151
    mg
    50
    %
    Sodium
     
    1246
    mg
    54
    %
    Potassium
     
    925
    mg
    26
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    73
    g
    24
    %
    Fiber
     
    6
    g
    25
    %
    Sugar
     
    9
    g
    10
    %
    Protein
     
    49
    g
    98
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    578
    IU
    12
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    34
    mg
    41
    %
    Calcium
     
    288
    mg
    29
    %
    Iron
     
    3
    mg
    17
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Snap a pic and tag @effortlessf00d on Instagram or Twitter

    More Easy Pasta Recipes

    • Bucatini all'Amatriciana.
      Easy Bucatini all'Amatriciana Recipe
    • Spinach and blue cheese pasta
      Creamy Spinach and Blue Cheese Pasta
    • cheesy pasta with a breadcrumb topping.
      Easy Cheesy Pasta Recipe
    • Creamy chicken pesto pasta.
      Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Andrea

      June 22, 2022 at 9:01 pm

      5 stars
      I can see why your family loves this. It looks and sounds amazing!

      Reply
    2. Hailey

      June 22, 2022 at 9:17 pm

      5 stars
      Simple and delicious! This recipe is so easy to make but flavorful. I highly recommend it.

      Reply
    3. Holley

      June 22, 2022 at 11:25 pm

      5 stars
      I love how quick and easy this meal is to come together! Such a time saver and the whole family is satified!

      Reply
    4. Tavo

      June 22, 2022 at 11:25 pm

      5 stars
      The pasta dish was super yummy and creamy! Another great recipe, thank you.

      Reply
    5. Sara

      June 23, 2022 at 2:22 am

      5 stars
      Thank you for this recipe! We have a new week day favourite, simple to whip up and all the kids enjoyed it!!

      Reply
    5 from 8 votes (3 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Beth!

    Mum of three (and two crazy dogs), living in Cornwall, UK. I love creating easy, delicious and fuss-free recipes, perfect for busy families, just like my own.

    Read more!

    My Web Stories

    Footer

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn commissions from qualifying purchases

    Copyright © 2025 Effortless Foodie

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.