Lemon Chicken Pasta

This easy lemon chicken pasta recipe is bright, fresh, and packed full of flavor.

Ready IN

25 mins

Servings

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By Lauren Allen

September 05, 2025Updated:June 24, 2026

View the print-ready version of this recipe.

Lemon Chicken Pasta Is What Summer Would Cook for Dinner.

It has fresh zucchini and squash, parmesan cheese, and fresh lemon, and it’s just plain EASY and QUICK, which is a must for me during the summer. I love how this lemon chicken pasta recipe isn’t weighed down by a heavy sauce and tastes light and fresh.

My only request—please use fresh ingredients! NO powdered or packaged parmesan cheese, por favor! Ignore your bottled lemon juice in the fridge and buy a fresh lemon to squeeze—it makes a big difference! Finally the fresh parsley, don’t be tempted to shake some dried parsley flakes on top; the fresh adds a flavor you can’t get with dried. It’s all just BETTER FROM SCRATCH!

And for all your busy summer nights save these 30-minute meal ideas like Burrata Pizza, Lemon Chicken Piccata, Mexican Pizza, Thai Basil Chicken, or a Patty Melt.

How to Make Lemon Chicken Pasta

Cook Chicken seasoned with salt, pepper, lemon zest, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning.

Cook Vegetables: Add zucchini and squash and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.

Finish: Add hot cooked pasta, butter, and lemon juice and mix until butter has melted. Sprinkle fresh parm on top and toss to combine. Add chopped chicken and garnish with parsley and extra parmesan cheese then serve this healthy lemon chicken pasta recipe with a side of crusty bread. Enjoy!

This article was originally published on tastesbetterfromscratch.com. Follow on Instagram.

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Lemon Chicken Pasta

Lauren Allen

Time

25 mins

(Prep 10 minsCook 15 mins)

Servings

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

15 mins

Total Time

25 mins

Servings

ingredients

16 ounces mini farfalle pasta, or your favorite bite-size pasta
2 to 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
salt
black pepper
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon garlic powder, divided
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, divided
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 zucchini, chopped
1 yellow squash, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley, chopped

Instructions

STEP 1

Cook pasta according to package instructions.

STEP 2

Season chicken on both sides, with salt and pepper, lemon zest, and 1/2 teaspoon each of garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and onion powder. Add olive oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add seasoned chicken and cook for 3 to 5 minutes on each side, flipping once, until cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm while it rests.

STEP 3

Add another tablespoon of oil to the skillet. Once hot, add the chopped zucchini and yellow squash. Season with salt and pepper, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Cook on medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

STEP 4

Add hot cooked pasta to the pan, along with the butter and lemon juice. Toss everything to combine, until butter has melted. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and toss to combine. Chop the chicken and return to the pan.

STEP 5

Serve garnished with parsley and additional parmesan cheese, if desired.

Notes

Parmesan Cheese: The powdered stuff, and even packaged, pre-shredded parmesan cheese doesn't have the same great flavor and texture as freshly shredded parmesan. Also, freshly shredded parmesan melts better, which works great when you sprinkle it over the warm pasta and on the chicken.

Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice makes a big difference in flavor!

Parsley: adds a great extra touch of flavor that you can't get with dried parsley flakes.

Vegetables: Swap out the zucchini and squash for broccoli, asparagus, spinach or another favorite vegetable!

Pasta: Use your favorite bite-size pasta.

Nutrition

Serving: 5g, Calories: 650kcal, Carbohydrates: 75g, Protein: 29g, Fat: 26g, Saturated Fat: 11g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 10g, Trans Fat: 0.4g, Cholesterol: 70mg, Sodium: 487mg, Potassium: 665mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 884IU, Vitamin C: 24mg, Calcium: 229mg, Iron: 2mg

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