Lemon Fettuccine Alfredo with Grilled Chicken and Broccoli
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Lemon Fettuccine Alfredo with Grilled Chicken and Broccoli is a light, fresh, healthy, and satisfying weeknight meal. Perfectly grilled chicken and fresh, earthy broccoli pair perfectly with a light and yummy creamy lemon pasta sauce, all nestled into al dente fettuccine noodles. It comes together so quickly and helps you meet your protein and veggie goals with ease. Try this for an easy family dinner!
Creamy Lemon Pasta Recipe
Looking for a delicious, hearty entree the entire family can agree on? This creamy lemon chicken pasta dish has definitely got you covered! You get a lightened-up creamy alfredo sauce blended with plenty of fresh lemon flavor, tossed with fettuccine noodles, and paired with grilled chicken and fresh broccoli. It really doesn’t get much better and it’s definitely a healthier take on the traditional fettuccine alfredo. This is an entree I loved enough that I would gladly welcome it to a weekly rotation! My kids thoroughly enjoyed it and my husband couldn’t stop raving about it. This lemon cream sauce will have you wondering why you ever bought jarred pasta sauces at the grocery store!
Best Lemon Fettuccine Alfredo
I originally was going to title this Lemon-Pepper Fettucine Alfredo with Grilled Chicken and Broccoli, but I decided to shorten it and omit “Pepper.” With that said though, I think this pasta is definitely highlighted by a fair amount of pepper to get that irresistible lemon-peppery combo. It would also be good with a little red pepper flakes for heat if desired. We usually top it off with grated parmesan cheese, of course.
Another variation you could try is swapping the chicken for shrimp or salmon, fettuccine noodles for spaghetti, and broccoli for asparagus.
Pair this with one of my favorite sides:
Enjoy!
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Lemon Fettuccine Alfredo with Grilled Chicken and Broccoli
Ingredients
- 12 oz dry fettuccine pasta
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts , grilled and sliced into strips
- 4 cups broccoli florets (from 1 lb broccoli crowns)
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 3 Tbsp flour
- 1 3/4 cups milk (preferably 1%)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 3 oz . light or regular cream cheese , diced into cubes
- 1/2 cup (1.5 oz) finely shredded parmesan, plus more for serving
- 3 Tbsp heavy cream
- 1 Tbsp lemon zest , plus more for serving
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare pasta in salted water according to directions listed on package, adding in broccoli during last 5 minutes of boiling pasta (so they will both boil together during last 5 minutes, then drain them together. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water just in case you want to thin sauce, I didn't use it but I always save some just in case).
- In a large and deep skillet or pot, melt butter over medium heat then add in garlic and flour and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- While whisking slowly pour milk into flour mixture, then cook, whisking vigorously to smooth lumps until mixture begins to thicken. Add in cream cheese and parmesan and whisk until melted (it will look lumpy at first but will begin to smooth).
- Mix in cream and season with salt and pepper to taste (I liked this with a fair amount of pepper). Stir in lemon zest and lemon juice.
- Toss drained pasta and broccoli into sauce mixture along with chicken (thin with reserved pasta water if needed). Serve warm topped with additional parmesan, lemon zest and pepper as desired.