Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta

5 from 1 vote
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This Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta hits all the right notes — rich, vibrant, and seriously comforting. Juicy, pan-seared chicken crowns tender rigatoni tossed in a silky lemon cream sauce built with roasted garlic, parmesan,...

Category: Pasta & Italian | By: Matt Price, Mr. Make It Happen

This Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta hits all the right notes — rich, vibrant, and seriously comforting. Juicy, pan-seared chicken crowns tender rigatoni tossed in a silky lemon cream sauce built with roasted garlic, parmesan, and asiago. Every bite feels like a restaurant dish you’d order on date night, but you’re making it right at home.

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It pops because of that perfect balance. Bright lemon zest and juice cut through the lush cream and cheese, while a splash of white wine and roasted garlic deepen the savory backbone. Everything melds in one pan into a glossy, clingy sauce that makes this pasta unforgettable.

Pair it with these favorites for a complete, crowd-pleasing meal:
Mashed Potatoes – Creamy, buttery mashed potatoes that soak up every ounce of flavor.
Creamy Southern Style Mac & Cheese (No Roux – No Egg!) – Ultra-cheesy comfort that pairs beautifully with the citrus in the pasta.
Smoked Mac and Cheese – A smoky, indulgent twist if you want something with bold flavor.
Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole – When you want everything cheesy and comforting on the side.

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A Quick Look at the Recipe 🍽️

🍽️ Recipe Name: Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta
⏱️ Ready In: About 45 minutes
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Serves: 4–6
🥣 Key Ingredients: Chicken breast, rigatoni, lemons, heavy cream, parmesan & asiago
📖 Dietary Info: Not Gluten-Free · Contains Dairy
🔥 Why You’ll Love It: Bright lemon flavor balanced with a rich, creamy sauce that tastes straight out of a restaurant kitchen.


Key Ingredients

Chicken Breast
Thin-sliced and well-seasoned, the chicken stays juicy and adds hearty protein to the dish.

Lemons
Both zest and juice are used to give the sauce fresh, vibrant citrus flavor without overpowering it.

Heavy Cream
Creates the rich, silky base that carries all the flavor and coats the pasta beautifully.

Parmesan & Asiago Cheese
This combination gives the sauce depth, saltiness, and a smooth, luxurious finish.

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Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil and cook the rigatoni until al dente. Reserve one cup of pasta water before draining and set aside.

Step 2: Season and Sear the Chicken

Season the chicken generously with all-purpose seasoning and lemon seasoning. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a drizzle of oil and sear the chicken until golden brown and fully cooked, about 4–5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.

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Step 3: Build the Sauce Base

Lower the heat to medium and add butter to the same skillet. Sauté the diced shallot until softened, then squeeze in the roasted garlic and stir until fragrant.

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Step 4: Deglaze and Finish

Pour in the white wine, scraping up all the flavorful browned bits. Add heavy cream, chicken bouillon, lemon zest, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes. Simmer gently, then stir in the parmesan and asiago until smooth. Add pasta and chicken back to the pan, loosening with reserved pasta water if needed. Garnish and serve immediately.

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Tips for the Best Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta

  • Use freshly grated cheese — pre-shredded won’t melt as smoothly
  • Don’t overcook the chicken; slice thin for quick, juicy results
  • Adjust lemon to taste — start light and build brightness gradually
  • Pasta water is key for achieving a silky sauce texture
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Variations & Add-Ins

  • Add shrimp for a surf-and-turf twist
  • Stir in spinach or broccolini for extra greens
  • Swap rigatoni for penne or fettuccine
  • Use half-and-half for a slightly lighter sauce

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Storage & Reheating

  • Store leftovers in an airtight contain
    er for up to 3 days
  • Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of cream or milk
  • Avoid microwaving on high to prevent sauce separation

If you try this Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta, let me know how it turns out in the comments. Don’t forget to check out the full video version and share this recipe with someone who loves pasta.
As always — make it happen.

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Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta

Matt Price
A rich and bright pasta dish made with juicy chicken, tender rigatoni, roasted garlic, and a silky lemon cream sauce.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Dinner Recipes
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 800 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
  • 1 lb rigatoni pasta
  • 1 –1½ cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup grated asiago cheese
  • 2 lemons zest and juice
  • 1 head roasted garlic
  • 1 shallot diced
  • ½ stick butter
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • Seasonings to taste

Instructions
 

  • Cook pasta until al dente and reserve pasta water.
  • Season and sear chicken until golden and cooked through.
  • Sauté shallot and roasted garlic in butter, then deglaze with wine.
  • Add cream, lemon, cheese, pasta, and chicken. Toss, garnish, and serve.

Notes

  • Use pasta water to adjust sauce consistency
  • Taste and adjust lemon before serving

Nutrition

Calories: 800kcalCarbohydrates: 96gProtein: 52gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 104mgSodium: 604mgPotassium: 880mgFiber: 5gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 374IUVitamin C: 29mgCalcium: 376mgIron: 3mg
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About Matt Price

Matt Price is a chef, restaurant owner, and food entrepreneur known online as Mr. Make It Happen. He is the owner of Fraiche Restaurant in Washington, D.C., an award-winning restaurant recognized with OpenTable’s Diners’ Choice Award, where he serves elevated comfort food like his famous Garlic Noodles, Oxtail Meatballs, Fried Whole Snapper, and She Crab Soup. Matt is also the founder of Make It Happen Media, one of the fastest-growing food brands on the internet, with over 4 million followers across platforms. His line of signature seasonings and cookware is sold nationwide. Every recipe on this site is developed, tested, and photographed by Matt, drawing on his real-world restaurant experience and years of professional recipe development.

5 from 1 vote

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