Zesty Chicken and Pasta

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Brighten up your dinner table with this flavor-packed Zesty Chicken and Pasta recipe! Tender fettuccine is tossed in a velvety lemon cream sauce infused with garlic, freshly sautéed red bell peppers, and zucchini for a burst of vibrant color and texture. Juicy, golden-brown chicken breasts add protein and heartiness, while a touch of lemon zest and crushed red pepper flakes create the perfect balance of freshness and a subtle kick. Finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan and fresh parsley, this dish is as visually stunning as it is delicious. Ready in just 40 minutes, it's an ideal choice for busy weeknights or casual entertaining. Perfect for pasta lovers seeking a restaurant-quality meal at home!

Recipe Information

• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 25 min
• Total Time: 40 min
• Servings: 4 servings
• Difficulty: Medium

🥘 Ingredients

15 items

• 2 pieces Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 12 ounces Fettuccine pasta
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 3 pieces Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 piece Red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 piece Zucchini, thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon Lemon zest
• 1 cup Chicken broth
• 0.5 cup Heavy cream
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes

📝 Instructions

10 steps

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the fettuccine pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

3. Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper on both sides. Place them in the skillet and cook for 4–5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet, let it rest for a few minutes, and then slice it into thin strips.

4. In the same skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

5. Add the sliced red bell pepper and zucchini to the skillet. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until the vegetables are tender.

6. Lower the heat to medium and stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Simmer for 2–3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.

7. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing it gently to coat evenly with the sauce.

8. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, reserved chicken slices, and crushed red pepper flakes. Mix well to combine.

9. Taste the dish and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.

10. Garnish the Zesty Chicken and Pasta with fresh parsley before serving. Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

1 serving (388.1g)

Calories		711
% Daily Value*
Total Fat		27.9 g	36%
	Saturated Fat	10.5 g	52%
	Polyunsaturated Fat	0.8 g
Cholesterol		114 mg	38%
Sodium		632 mg	27%
Total Carbohydrate		69.5 g	25%
	Dietary Fiber	5.0 g	18%
	Total Sugars	6.6 g
Protein		43.9 g	88%
Vitamin D		0.0 mcg	0%
Calcium		147 mg	11%
Iron		1.6 mg	9%
Potassium		574 mg	12%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 1011 cal (35.9%%)

Protein: 701 cal (24.9%%)

Carbs: 1108 cal (39.3%%)