This creamy pasta recipe has all the flavors of springtime! The light lemon cream sauce pairs with chicken and vegetables.
Well, the New Year's resolution to eat healthier is going well. Yep, I made it to day 4 of the new year before making a cream sauce. Excellent effort, wouldn't you say? Of course, I managed to justify this indulgence by packing the dish with fresh green beans, red peppers, and skinless chicken breasts. Even as I watched the cream sauce simmering, chastising myself all the while, I reminded myself that healthy eating is about moderation.
As long as I fill most of my meals with recipes such as the ones listed in New Year's Recipes for Weight Loss and Healthy Living, I can enjoy the occasional high-fat indiscretion. With that thought in mind, I sat down with my family to enjoy this creamy dish. I ate without abandon and savored every bite.
How to make pasta with lemon cream sauce
Cut 2 skinless chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces. Heat olive oil in a large skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until the chicken is no longer cooked in the center, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Heat olive oil in a large saucepan set over medium heat. Add onion, finely chopped, and cook until the onion is soft and starting to turn brown, 4 to 5 minutes.
To the saucepan, add whipping cream, low-sodium chicken broth, and a little water. Simmer, uncovered, for 8-10 minutes.
Add green beans, trimmed and cut in half, to the cream mixture. Simmer for 3-5 minutes, or until the green beans are tender crisp. Add a red bell pepper, seeded and cut into thin strips. Simmer for one additional minute.
Add the cooked chicken to the cream sauce to reheat.
While the cream sauce and vegetables are cooking, cook farfalle pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Drain the pasta and add it to the cream sauce. Toss to combine. Add chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely grated lemon zest, and finely grated fresh Parmesan cheese. Toss again to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.
Printable Recipe
Pasta with Lemon Cream Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch pieces
- ½ large onion finely chopped
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ¼ cup water
- ½ pound green beans trimmed and halved
- 1 red bell pepper seeded & cut into strips
- 1 pound farfalle (bowtie) pasta
- ¼ cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
- ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until the chicken is no longer cooked in the center, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large saucepan set over medium heat. Add onion and cook until the onion is soft and starting to turn brown, 4 to 5 minutes.
- To the saucepan, add whipping cream, chicken broth, and water. Simmer, uncovered, for 8-10 minutes. Add green beans to the cream mixture. Simmer for 3-5 minutes, or until the green beans are tender crisp. Add red bell pepper and simmer for one additional minute. Add the cooked chicken to the cream sauce to reheat.
- While the cream sauce and vegetables are cooking, cook 1 pound (16 ounces) farfalle pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Drain the pasta and add it to the cream sauce. Toss to combine. Add flat-leaf parsley, lemon zest, and Parmesan cheese. Toss again to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
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penny aka jeroxie
oh yum! I will have this in winter or summer. doesn't matter.
Drick
beautiful delight - great combination you got going here ....love it and that means it's a keeper
Chris
Delish! Cream sauces on the brain...just posted on. Agree with Bumble...portion size and movement. Depriving ourselves of everything sets us up for failure! I try not to eat carbs after 3PMish....so doesn't happen all the time. Gotta have my wine! 😉 Hugs!
Maria
A nice dish for a cold winter's night...like any day in Utah:) I had to work today so I missed your segment. I hope you will post the recording. I am sure you did an amazing job!
BumbleVee
absolutely... moderation is and has always been...the key!
We don't have to eat salads to live healthier or to lose weight... portion size is what's crucial. And... movement. Movement burns calories... and helps keep bones and tissue healthy and strong... ...
Lea Ann
This looks really very good. Reminds me of a Julia Child Quote "If you're afraid of butter, use cream". There are some healthy fats that you do need (in moderation) and cream happens to contain those.
Ruth
Hmm really love this! looks to yummy to be healthy lol
Jenn
Looks delicious. As my attempt to eat healthy today, I made a salad. hahaha...
But I'll eventually return to my love of pasta that way I can give this a try.
MaryMoh
Delicious-looking pasta dish. Love it. I'll eat it anytime.
Divina Pe
I always agree with the moderation part. And if you live in a colder climate, this is good enough. Cream is a must. The dish looks really great.