Quick Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta Is the Perfect Way to Use Extra Rotisserie Chicken

Photo byThe Cozy Cook

This delicious lemon chicken pasta is creamy with a burst of citrus that makes it a perfect dish for summer. The Parmesan sauce is rich and comforting, while the lemon juice adds a refreshing brightness that keeps it from feeling too heavy. In about 20 minutes you can have a restaurant-quality meal.

Because the recipe uses rotisserie chicken, it saves time and money. At my supermarket you can still pick up a rotisserie chicken for $4.99 (bless them) so the cost of the meal stays low. If you don't have any rotisserie chicken on hand, you can substitute 2 cups of cooked chicken instead.

Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta

Ingredients

8 ounces uncooked pasta

2 tablespoons butter

1/2 tablespoon flour

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 cup chicken broth, vegetable broth or dry white wine

1/2 tablespoon lemon juice

1 cup heavy whipping cream

2 cups rotisserie chicken, cut up

1/3 cup Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions and set aside. Reserve up to 1/2 cup of pasta water.

2. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the flour and cook for about a minute, stirring often.

3. Add the garlic, broth or wine, and lemon juice. Let the sauce simmer for about a minute.

4. Slowly whisk in the cream. Add the chicken and simmer a few more minutes until the sauce thickens.

5. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until it's melted into the sauce then take the skillet off the burner.

6. Add the drained pasta and toss until it's thoroughly coated. Add up up to 1/4 cup of the pasta water if you want a silkier texture.

7. Add salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with more Parmesan cheese and garnish with lemon slices, lemon zest or parsley (optional).

Notes

If you don't have rotisserie chicken on hand, you can substitute 2 cups of cooked chicken breast meat.

You can use plain Greek yogurt and milk in a 1:1 ratio to replace the cream.

To add a little heat to the recipe, add 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or a teaspoon of paprika.

You can substitute gluten-free pasta for the regular version or vary your choice of pasta. This recipe works well with fettucine, spaghetti or linguine but penne, rigatoni and ziti are also good choices.