Creamy Lemon Feta Chicken Pasta (Printer-friendly)

Tender chicken and pasta in a silky lemon cream sauce with tangy feta and Parmesan cheese.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta

→ Chicken

02 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
05 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

→ Sauce

07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
09 - Zest of 1 lemon
10 - 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
11 - 1 cup heavy cream
12 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
13 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
14 - 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
15 - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
16 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

17 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
18 - Extra feta cheese and lemon zest, optional

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.
02 - While pasta cooks, season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, oregano, and garlic powder.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken and sauté until golden and cooked through, approximately 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
04 - In the same skillet, add minced garlic and lemon zest. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
05 - Pour in lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Stir in heavy cream and chicken broth, bringing to a gentle simmer.
06 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in Parmesan and feta cheese until melted and sauce achieves a smooth consistency. Add red pepper flakes if desired.
07 - Return cooked chicken to the skillet. Add drained pasta and toss to coat evenly, adding reserved pasta water in small increments as needed to achieve desired sauce consistency.
08 - Season with additional black pepper and adjust salt to taste.
09 - Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley, extra crumbled feta, and a sprinkle of lemon zest.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The unique combination of tangy feta and Parmesan creates a rich, complex sauce.
  • Fresh lemon zest and juice add a zesty brightness that balances the cream.
  • It is a quick, one-skillet finish meal that comes together in just 40 minutes.
  • Tender chicken seasoned with oregano and garlic provides a delicious protein boost.
02 -
  • Always reserve a bit of pasta water; its starch helps the sauce emulsify and stick to the noodles.
  • Add the cheeses over low heat and stir continuously to ensure the sauce remains silky and doesn't clump.
  • Using fresh lemon juice rather than bottled will provide a much cleaner and more vibrant flavor to the final sauce.
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