Creamy Lemon Chicken Farfalle Pasta (Easy Weeknight Dinner)
A quick and easy creamy lemon chicken pasta made with tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and a rich parmesan sauce—ready in just 40 minutes.
Ingredients
- 12 oz farfalle pasta
- 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tsp salt, divided
- 1 tsp black pepper, divided
- 2 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning, divided
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1 zucchini, chopped
- 1 yellow squash, chopped
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tbsp salted butter
- 1/4 cup lemon juice (fresh or bottled)
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup half and half
- 2 tsp parsley (fresh chopped or dried, for garnish)
Instructions
Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the farfalle pasta according to package instructions (about 10 minutes). Drain and set aside. Add a little olive oil to the drained pasta to help them not stick to each other.
Season and Cook the Chicken
- In a bowl, toss the cubed chicken with: 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, 2 tsp Italian seasoning, 1 tsp garlic powder.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken for about 8–10 minutes, or until fully cooked and lightly golden. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Sauté the Vegetables
- In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil. Add the zucchini, yellow squash, and diced onion. Season with: 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning.
- Cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender.
Add Garlic & Build the Sauce
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the butter and lemon juice, stirring until the butter is fully melted.
Make it Creamy
- Add the spinach and cook until wilted. Reduce heat to low, then stir in: 1 cup parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup half and half.
- Mix until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Combine Everything
- Return the cooked chicken to the pan and stir to combine. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together until evenly coated in the sauce.
Garnish & Serve
- Top with parsley and extra parmesan if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!