Lemon Chicken Pasta Recipe

Pasta: The base of the dish, any type of pasta will work, but choose your favorite for the best experience.

Chickpeas: These add a hearty, protein-rich element to the dish.

Olive oil: Used for sautéing and adding a rich flavor.

Garlic: Provides a fragrant and savory base for the sauce.

Lemon: Both the zest and juice are used to add a bright, zesty flavor.

Nutritional yeast: Adds a cheesy, nutty flavor without any dairy.

Parsley: Fresh and chopped, it adds a burst of color and freshness.

Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.

Pepper: Adds a bit of heat and depth to the flavor profile.

When sautéing the garlic in olive oil, be sure to keep the heat at medium to prevent it from burning. Burnt garlic can impart a bitter taste to the dish. Stir constantly and cook just until the garlic becomes fragrant and slightly golden. This will ensure a rich, aromatic base for your lemon chicken pasta.

• Pasta - Substitute with whole wheat pasta: Whole wheat pasta offers more fiber and nutrients compared to regular pasta.

• Cooked chickpeas - Substitute with tofu cubes: Tofu provides a different texture and is a great source of protein.

• Olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a higher smoke point and is rich in healthy fats.

• Minced garlic cloves - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used if fresh garlic is not available, though the flavor will be slightly different.

• Zested and juiced lemon - Substitute with lime: Lime can provide a similar citrusy flavor with a slightly different taste profile.

• Nutritional yeast - Substitute with vegan parmesan: Vegan parmesan can offer a cheesy flavor similar to nutritional yeast.

• Chopped fresh parsley - Substitute with chopped fresh basil: Basil provides a different but complementary fresh herb flavor.

• Salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can offer a slightly different mineral content and flavor.

• Pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper can provide a milder peppery flavor without the black specks.

• Allow the lemon chicken pasta to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the pasta soggy.
• Transfer the pasta to an airtight container. If you have multiple servings, consider using individual containers for easy portioning.
• Store the container in the refrigerator. The lemon chicken pasta will stay fresh for up to 4 days.
• For freezing, place the cooled pasta in a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
• Label the container or bag with the date and contents. This helps you keep track of how long the pasta has been stored.
• When ready to eat, thaw the pasta in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing helps maintain the texture and flavor.
• Reheat the pasta in a pan over medium heat, adding a splash of olive oil or a bit of water to prevent sticking. Stir occasionally until heated through.
• Alternatively, you can reheat the pasta in the microwave. Place it in a microwave-safe dish, cover it with a damp paper towel, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until hot.
• Garnish with fresh parsley before serving to revive the dish and add a burst of freshness.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Place a non-stick pan over medium heat.
  2. Add a splash of olive oil or a bit of vegetable broth to prevent sticking.
  3. Add the leftover Lemon Chicken Pasta to the pan.
  4. Stir occasionally until heated through, about 5-7 minutes.
  5. If the pasta seems dry, add a bit more lemon juice or a splash of water to revive the sauce.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the Lemon Chicken Pasta in a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Add a tablespoon of water or vegetable broth to keep it moist.
  3. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel.
  4. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes.
  5. Stir and check the temperature. If needed, continue heating in 30-second intervals until hot.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Transfer the Lemon Chicken Pasta to an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to retain moisture.
  4. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
  5. Stir halfway through the reheating process for even warming.

• Steaming Method:

  1. Set up a steamer basket over a pot of simmering water.
  2. Place the Lemon Chicken Pasta in the steamer basket.
  3. Cover and steam for about 5-7 minutes, or until heated through.
  4. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating.

• Sous Vide Method:

  1. Place the Lemon Chicken Pasta in a vacuum-sealed bag or a ziplock bag with the air removed.
  2. Set your sous vide machine to 165°F (74°C).
  3. Submerge the bag in the water bath and heat for about 20-30 minutes.
  4. Once heated, remove from the bag and serve immediately.

• Pot: Used to cook the pasta according to package instructions.

• Colander: Essential for draining the cooked pasta.

• Pan: Needed to heat olive oil and sauté the garlic.

• Wooden spoon: Useful for stirring the garlic, chickpeas, and other ingredients.

• Zester: Required to zest the lemon.

• Juicer: Handy for extracting juice from the lemon.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure the chickpeas, olive oil, and nutritional yeast.

• Knife: Necessary for mincing the garlic and chopping the fresh parsley.

• Cutting board: Provides a surface for mincing garlic and chopping parsley.

• Mixing bowl: Useful for combining the pasta with the other ingredients if needed.

• Tongs: Helpful for tossing the pasta with the sauce in the pan.

• Serving bowl: Ideal for presenting the finished lemon chickpea pasta dish.

Cook pasta ahead: Prepare the pasta in advance and store it in the fridge. This way, you can quickly toss it into the pan when needed.

Use canned chickpeas: Opt for canned chickpeas instead of cooking them from scratch. It saves time and effort.

Pre-minced garlic: Buy pre-minced garlic to skip the peeling and chopping step.

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

One-pot method: Cook everything in one pot to reduce cleanup time.