Lemon, chicken, and pasta make a flavorful dinner that comes together in just 35 minutes. We made this recipe with linguine but you can use other pasta you may have on hand.
Ingredient :
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1 (16-oz.) pkg. uncooked linguine
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1/4 cup all-purpose flour
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1 3/4 tsp. kosher salt
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1/4 cup panko (Japanese-style breadcrumbs)
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1 tsp. dried Italian seasoning
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1/4 tsp. black pepper
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2 tsp. lemon zest, plus 1/4 cup juice (from 2 lemons), divided
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1 large egg, beaten
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3 (10 oz. each) boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut in half horizontally into cutlets
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7 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
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2 (6 oz. each) zucchini, cut into 1/4-in.-thick rounds (about 2 1/2 cups), divided
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2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
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1 large garlic clove, finely chopped (1 1/2 tsp.)
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1/4 tsp. onion powder
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2 cups heavy whipping cream
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4 oz. Parmesan cheese, grated (about 1 cup)
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Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley and lemon slices
Directions :
Cook pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high. Add linguine; cook until al dente, about 7 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water; drain linguine in a colander, and set aside until ready to use.
Make dredging stations:
While linguine cooks, stir together flour and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt in a shallow bowl. Stir together panko, Italian seasoning, black pepper, 1 teaspoon of the lemon zest, and 1 teaspoon of the salt in a separate shallow bowl. Place egg in a third shallow bowl.
Dredge chicken:
Working with 1 piece of chicken at a time, dredge chicken in flour, and shake off excess. Dip in beaten egg, letting excess drip off; dredge in panko mixture to coat, pressing to adhere, as needed. Set chicken aside on a plate. Repeat process with remaining pieces of chicken, flour, egg, and panko mixture. (Discard any remaining flour, egg, and panko mixture.)
Cook zucchini:
Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high until shimmering. Add half of the zucchini evenly spaced in skillet, pressing slightly so surface makes contact with skillet. Cook, undisturbed, until browned in spots, about 1 minute. Flip, and cook on other side, 1 minute. Transfer to a plate, and set aside. Repeat process with remaining zucchini. Wipe skillet clean.
Cook chicken:
Heat 3 tablespoons of the oil in skillet over medium-high until shimmering. Add 3 pieces of chicken, and cook, turning once, until golden brown on both sides and a thermometer inserted into thickest portion of chicken registers 165°F, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate; wipe skillet clean. Repeat process with remaining 3 tablespoons oil and remaining 3 pieces chicken; set aside, and keep warm.
Begin sauce:
Add butter to large pot used to cook pasta, and melt over medium-high. Add garlic and onion powder, and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add cream and cooking water:
Stir in whipping cream, 1/2 cup reserved cooking water, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt; bring to a simmer over medium, stirring often.
Add lemon juice and cheese:
Reduce heat to low, and slowly add lemon juice while whisking vigorously, 30 to 45 seconds. Add Parmesan, and cook, whisking constantly, until Parmesan melts and sauce is thick, 2 to 5 minutes.
Finish pasta:
Add linguine, zucchini, and remaining 1 teaspoon lemon zest to pot, and toss to mix evenly.
Slice chicken, and serve:
Slice chicken; divide linguine mixture evenly among bowls, and top evenly with chicken. Garnish with parsley and lemon slices.