Creamy Lemon Pepper Chicken and Pasta

The ricotta cheese in this dish added a nice creamy texture and I loved the wonderful lemony flavor.  My hubby devoured it and my kids (even the picky ones) ate it up and were asking for seconds.  I got the recipe for this deliciously creamy pasta dish from Michelle at Michelle's Recipe Box. This one's definitely going into our rotation! 

Click here for printable recipe.  


The ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1-1/2 pounds)
salt and pepper
2 Tbs. olive oil, divided
3-4 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbs. grated lemon zest
3 Tbs. fresh lemon juice (I used 1-1/2 lemons to get enough juice and zest)
1 lb. spaghetti noodles
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 Tbs. finely chopped fresh parsley

Directions:
Pat chicken dry paper towel and season with salt and pepper. 

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking.  Cook chicken until well browned and almost cooked through, about 4-5 minutes on each side.  Transfer to cutting board and cover with foil.  Let rest 5 minutes, then slice crosswise into chunks. 


Heat remaining oil in now empty skillet over medium heat until simmering.  Cook garlic and 3/4 teaspoon pepper until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Add lemon juice and simmer, about 1 minute.  Add chicken  and any accumulated juices and cook an additional 3 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.

Meanwhile add 1 tablespoon salt and pasta to boiling water and cook until al dente.  Drain the pasta in a colander over a bowl and reserve 1 cup of the pasta water.  Return the drained pasta to the pot. 

In a separate small bowl, combine ricotta, Parmesan, lemon zest, and 1/4 tsp. salt.

Add to the drained noodles.  Stir together.  Add chicken mixture, parsley, and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, adding more pasta water as needed for moisture.  ( I only used 1/2 cup total).

Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Serves 8.  Serve immediately with fresh, hot bread (like French Peasant Bread or the best Whole Wheat Bread).  Enjoy!