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By using canned chicken, leftover grilled or rotisserie chicken, this 10-Minute Easy Lemon Chicken Pasta an be on the table in just minutes.
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10-Minute Easy Lemon Chicken Pasta

This 10-Minute Easy Lemon Chicken Pasta is the perfect weeknight meal. By using canned chicken, leftover grilled or rotisserie chicken, this meal an be on the table in just minutes.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Entree, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Lemon chicken, lemon chicken pasta
Servings: 4
Calories: 386kcal
Author: Barbara

Ingredients

  • 8 oz. spaghetti regular or whole wheat
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 12.5 oz. can chunk chicken, drained or 1 -2 cups diced, rotisserie chicken
  • 1 Tablespoon grated lemon peel
  • 1/4 cup whipping cream
  • 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 Tablespoons Parmesan Cheese

Instructions

  • Cook spaghetti in boiling, salted water as directed on the package.
    By using canned chicken, leftover grilled or rotisserie chicken, this 10-Minute Easy Lemon Chicken Pasta an be on the table in just minutes.
  • While the pasta is cooking, heat butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add grated lemon, whipping cream and drained chicken. Warm slowly, and gently break up chicken into large chunks.
    By using canned chicken, leftover grilled or rotisserie chicken, this 10-Minute Easy Lemon Chicken Pasta an be on the table in just minutes.
  • Once spaghetti is cooked, use tongs to add to the skillet (this keeps a little pasta water on the spaghetti which helps the sauce). Add fresh lemon juice and cheese.
    By using canned chicken, leftover grilled or rotisserie chicken, this 10-Minute Easy Lemon Chicken Pasta an be on the table in just minutes.
  • Toss to mix. If pasta seems a little dry, add a couple tablespoons of pasta water.
    By using canned chicken, leftover grilled or rotisserie chicken, this 10-Minute Easy Lemon Chicken Pasta an be on the table in just minutes.
  • Top with additional lemon peel and cheese if desired.
    By using canned chicken, leftover grilled or rotisserie chicken, this 10-Minute Easy Lemon Chicken Pasta an be on the table in just minutes.
  • Try adding a cup of cooked peas for a whole new spin.
    By using canned chicken, leftover grilled or rotisserie chicken, this 10-Minute Easy Lemon Chicken Pasta an be on the table in just minutes.

Notes

  • This version can be modified in several ways to suit your family. Barbara uses canned chicken, a new favorite staple at her house. If you have leftover grilled chicken (try ours) or rotisserie chicken, you can definitely use in this dish. The pre-cooked or pre-grilled chicken in the refrigerated section of the grocery store will work in this too.
  • You can also use any variety of spaghetti. We like whole wheat spaghetti. (Here's a secret...don't have any spaghetti in your pantry? Use whatever pasta you have on hand!)
  • Also, we used shredded Parmesan cheese because that is what was in Barbara's refrigerator, but grated Parmesan would work fine too.
  • The only ingredients that should NOT be substituted is the lemon peel and fresh lemon juice. The bottled lemon juice just doesn't pack the flavor needed for this dish.
  • Add frozen peas, frozen broccoli, fresh spinach or top with diced tomatoes for a fun new spin. 
  • The nutritional information below is auto-calculated and can vary depending on the products you use.

Nutrition

Calories: 386kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 76mg | Sodium: 427mg | Potassium: 152mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 414IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 1mg