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Lemon tarragon chicken pasta

Lemon tarragon chicken pasta
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Lemon tarragon chicken pasta is a bright and creamy dish combining tender chicken breasts, fresh or dried pasta, and a luscious sauce infused with fresh tarragon and zesty lemon. Ready in under 30 minutes, this comforting yet elegant meal offers a perfect balance of tangy citrus, aromatic herbs, and indulgent creaminess, making it ideal for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Pasta

  • 8 oz fresh or dried fettuccine or linguine pasta

Sauce

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest (avoid white pith)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh tarragon, chopped
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter

Seasonings

  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare and cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the chosen pasta until al dente, typically 8 to 10 minutes. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining to help loosen the sauce later.
  2. Sear the chicken: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes on each side until golden and fully cooked. Remove from the pan and let rest before slicing.
  3. Make the lemon tarragon cream sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in the heavy cream, lemon juice, and lemon zest, stirring to combine. Let the sauce simmer gently until it thickens, about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in chopped fresh tarragon and grated Parmesan cheese until melted.
  4. Combine everything: Add the cooked pasta and sliced chicken back to the skillet, tossing everything together. If the sauce feels too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually until you reach a silky consistency that evenly coats the pasta and chicken.
  5. Finish and serve: Adjust seasoning with extra salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed. Serve immediately while warm, garnished with extra tarragon or Parmesan if desired.

Notes

  • Don’t overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
  • Use fresh tarragon for the best, liveliest flavor.
  • Reserve pasta water to help emulsify and loosen the sauce naturally.
  • Zest the lemon carefully, avoiding the bitter white pith.
  • Let the sauce simmer gently and avoid boiling to prevent cream curdling.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon tarragon chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, lemon pasta, tarragon pasta, quick chicken dinner, easy pasta recipe, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://marybaking.com/lemon-tarragon-chicken-pasta/