Thin and delicate angel hair noodles are paired with a creamy, zesty white wine sauce, fresh basil and golden cubes of chicken breast. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese adds the final touch to this lemon basil pasta that comes together in less than 30 minutes.
Lemon Basil Pasta Ingredients
- Angel hair pasta – you can also use capellini if you can’t find angel hair
- Olive oil and butter
- Chicken breast
- Garlic
- Lemon juice – freshly squeezed
- White wine – use a dry white wine like Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc
- Heavy cream
- Fresh basil
- Freshly grated Parmesan – to serve
This pasta recipe is great if you are looking for a creamy yet light meal that will keep you satisfied as well. Although some of the ingredients like angel hair pasta, basil and lemon juice sound simple, their unique textures and flavors help this dish come together for a delicious dinner.
The fresh basil is added to the sauce towards the end of the cook to retain its aroma and flavor.
Angel Hair Noodles
What makes angel hair pasta different from other pasta types are its thinness and quickness. It is commonly compared to spaghetti, but much finer. It is often used in recipes with simple ingredients like olive oil, butter, cherry tomatoes, or a cream sauce like in this recipe.
Because of its thin strands, angel hair cooks quicker than other pasta. While some pasta takes 8 to 12 minutes to cook, angel hair can take as little as 90 seconds, making this a great recipe if you have limited time.
If need be, you can use capellini noodles as a substitution. They are only slightly thicker than angel hair.
Serving Suggestions
If you wish to add more vegetables to this dish, I recommend a green or red vegetable for more color to contrast the creamy yet bright pasta. A personal favorite is grilled broccoli because broccoli is a common pairing with chicken and cream sauces.
If you want to make it feel more sophisticated, a light asparagus side dish is a great suggestion.
As for other side dishes, you could go with garlic bread to soak up all of that creamy sauce. It can also complement the pasta with a good crunch.
For a healthier alternative, a simple salad with a vinaigrette will pair well with this dish. The fresh lettuce, vegetables and vinaigrette will fit appropriately with the brightness of the pasta.
Lemon Basil Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 pound angel hair pasta or capellini
- 2 tablespoons olive oil - divided
- 1 ½ pounds chicken breast - cubed
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 garlic cloves - minced
- ½ cup lemon juice - freshly squeezed
- ½ cup white wine - like Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup basil leaves - thinly sliced
- Salt and pepper - to taste
To Serve:
- Fresh basil leaves
- Parmesan cheese - freshly grated
Instructions
- Cook the pasta al dente, according to package instructions.1 pound angel hair pasta or capellini
- Drain the pasta and toss it with 1 tablespoon of olive oil so that it doesn’t stick together. Reserve.
- Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the chicken, season with salt and pepper, and fry until golden and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and reserve.1 ½ pounds chicken breast
- Heat the same pan to medium heat and melt the butter in it. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.1 tablespoon butter, 3 garlic cloves
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Add the lemon juice, white wine, cream and basil. Season with salt and pepper. Stir until heated through.½ cup lemon juice, ½ cup white wine, 1 cup heavy cream, ½ cup basil leaves
- Toss the pasta with the sauce.
- Serve the pasta topped with the chicken, freshly grated Parmesan and fresh basil leaves.
Equipment
Nutrition
Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.
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