Lemon Basil Chicken Pasta Recipe

Pasta: The base of the dish, any type of pasta will work, but something like penne or fettuccine is ideal for holding the sauce.

Olive oil: Used for cooking the chicken, it adds a subtle flavor and helps to brown the meat.

Chicken breast: Provides the protein for the dish, cut into bite-sized pieces for easy eating.

Garlic: Adds a fragrant and savory depth to the sauce.

Lemon: Both the zest and juice are used to give the dish a fresh, tangy flavor.

Heavy cream: Creates a rich and creamy sauce that coats the pasta beautifully.

Parmesan cheese: Adds a salty, umami flavor and helps to thicken the sauce.

Fresh basil: Chopped and added at the end for a burst of fresh, herbal flavor.

Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning the dish to taste.

When cooking the chicken breast, make sure to cut it into uniform bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. To achieve a perfectly browned exterior, avoid overcrowding the skillet; cook the chicken in batches if necessary. This will allow the olive oil to maintain its temperature, giving the chicken a nice sear. Additionally, when adding the minced garlic, be careful not to let it burn as it can turn bitter quickly. Stir continuously and keep an eye on it to maintain its fragrant quality.

• any type pasta - Substitute with zucchini noodles: For a low-carb option, zucchini noodles provide a similar texture and can absorb the flavors well.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a mild flavor, making it a good alternative for cooking.

• chicken breast - Substitute with turkey breast: Turkey breast is lean and has a similar texture, making it a suitable replacement.

• minced garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: If fresh garlic is unavailable, garlic powder can provide a similar flavor, though it is less pungent.

• lemon - Substitute with lime: Lime can provide a similar acidic and citrusy flavor, though it will slightly alter the taste profile.

• heavy cream - Substitute with coconut milk: For a dairy-free option, coconut milk provides a creamy texture and a subtle sweetness.

• grated parmesan cheese - Substitute with nutritional yeast: Nutritional yeast offers a cheesy flavor and is a good vegan alternative.

• fresh basil - Substitute with fresh spinach: Fresh spinach can add a similar fresh, green element to the dish, though it will not have the same aromatic quality.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor, though it will also add a different depth of flavor.

• pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper can add a similar spiciness, though it will be more intense, so use sparingly.

• Allow the lemon basil chicken pasta to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the pasta soggy.
• Transfer the pasta to an airtight container. For best results, use a container that fits the amount of pasta closely to minimize air exposure.
• Store the container in the refrigerator. The pasta will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
• If you plan to freeze the pasta, divide it into individual portions. This makes it easier to reheat only what you need.
• Place each portion in a freezer-safe container or a resealable plastic bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing.
• Label the containers or bags with the date. This helps you keep track of how long the pasta has been stored.
• When ready to reheat, thaw the pasta in the refrigerator overnight if frozen.
• Reheat the pasta in a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of heavy cream or olive oil to help revive the sauce.
• Stir occasionally until the pasta is heated through. Avoid overheating to prevent the chicken from becoming dry.
• Garnish with fresh basil and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese before serving to restore some of the original flavors.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Place a skillet over medium heat and add a splash of olive oil or a small amount of heavy cream to prevent sticking.
  2. Add the leftover Lemon Basil Chicken Pasta to the skillet.
  3. Stir occasionally, allowing the pasta to heat evenly. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
  4. If the pasta seems dry, add a bit more heavy cream or a splash of chicken broth to revive the sauce.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the leftover Lemon Basil Chicken Pasta in a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Add a tablespoon of water or heavy cream to keep the pasta moist.
  3. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape.
  4. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, then stir the pasta.
  5. Continue microwaving in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the pasta is heated through.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover Lemon Basil Chicken Pasta in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Add a splash of heavy cream or chicken broth to keep the pasta from drying out.
  4. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to retain moisture.
  5. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the pasta is heated through.
  6. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of baking if you prefer a slightly crispy top.

• Double Boiler Method:

  1. Fill a pot with a couple of inches of water and bring it to a simmer.
  2. Place a heatproof bowl over the pot, ensuring it doesn't touch the water.
  3. Add the leftover Lemon Basil Chicken Pasta to the bowl.
  4. Stir occasionally, allowing the steam to gently reheat the pasta. This method helps maintain the creamy texture without drying it out.

• Large pot: used for boiling the pasta according to package instructions.

• Colander: necessary for draining the cooked pasta.

• Large skillet: essential for cooking the chicken and preparing the sauce.

• Wooden spoon: ideal for stirring the chicken, garlic, and sauce ingredients.

• Garlic press: handy for mincing the garlic cloves quickly and efficiently.

• Zester: used to zest the lemon, adding a burst of citrus flavor.

• Juicer: helpful for extracting the juice from the lemon.

• Measuring cups: required for measuring the heavy cream and grated parmesan cheese.

• Chef's knife: necessary for cutting the chicken into bite-sized pieces and chopping the fresh basil.

• Cutting board: provides a safe surface for cutting the chicken and basil.

• Tongs: useful for tossing the pasta in the skillet to coat it with the sauce.

• Grater: used for grating the parmesan cheese if it is not pre-grated.

• Serving spoon: ideal for serving the finished pasta dish.

Pre-cook the chicken: Cook the chicken breast in advance and store it in the fridge. This way, you can quickly add it to the skillet when needed.

Use pre-minced garlic: Save time by using pre-minced garlic from a jar instead of mincing fresh cloves.

Lemon juice shortcut: Use bottled lemon juice if you're in a hurry, though fresh is always best.

Pre-grated parmesan: Buy pre-grated parmesan cheese to skip the grating step.

Chop basil ahead: Chop the fresh basil in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge.