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    Home » Main dishes

    Creamy lemon chicken pasta bake

    January 14, 2019 by Caroline's Cooking

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    Creamy lemon chicken pasta bake

    This creamy lemon chicken pasta bake has so much tastiness going on from the tarragon lemon cream sauce that wraps together the pasta, chicken and spinach. Plus, you can serve it either straight up, while the sauce is creamier, or baked with added mozzarella for a cheesier bake. Either way, all delicious.

    Jump to Recipe
    Creamy lemon chicken pasta bake in dish with spoon of pasta resting on top

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    Pasta is a meal that everyone in our house enjoys. If we have a little more time, the kids love helping to make some fresh pasta, whether plain or with a twist like fresh spinach pasta or pumpkin pasta, or some ravioli like crab ravioli.

    More often or not, we go simple by using store bought pasta, but at least with homemade arugula pesto. But sometimes I change things up like spaghetti alla carbonara with mushrooms or pasta puttanesca.

    cheese pull from spoonful of pasta held over dish

    Comforting baked pasta dishes are always great for colder weather, too, like creamy chard pesto baked orzo or easy beef cannelloni. As are non-baked creamy pasta dishes too, of course, like this salmon spinach pasta.

    Recently, since I had some leftover tarragon from making baked tarragon chicken, I wondered if I could use some for a sauce beyond just chicken.

    After a little digging and thinking, I came up with this creamy lemon chicken pasta bake, and it was one delicious meal.

    Creamy lemon chicken pasta bake in dish, part view, from overhead

    A tastier cream sauce

    Now I know others may not agree but I have to say I'm not generally that big a fan of a basic cream sauce. At least not on it's own. It's naturally a great base for other dishes, but it needs some additions, in my mind.

    The tarragon lemon cream sauce here has just the right amount of additions without being overly complicated, and they all work so well together. It uses a combination of garlic, wine, tarragon, cream and a little softened onion as the base.

    Creamy lemon chicken pasta bake with spoonful resting on top

    A quick pasta sauce or pasta bake?

    Since the sauce here has such great flavor, this dish definitely works to serve right after adding everything in to the sauce. And I have to say I have every intention of using this sauce in other dishes as well.

    Before I made this, however, I had a pasta bake in mind, so I added some mozzarella, topped with parmesan and baked. The sauce dries a little, so it's less "saucy" but the cheese gives a lovely additional flavor and stringy goodness.

    Really, just go with your mood, as both ways are delicious!

    making creamy sauce with chicken and spinach as base

    How to make this creamy lemon chicken pasta bake

    This dish might take a little longer than some pasta dishes, but it comes together easily and is worth the extra effort.

    • Set the pasta to cook - drain once al dente.
    • Cook the diced chicken in butter then set aside.
    • Add a little more butter and soften the onion and garlic.
    • Deglaze with the wine, add the lemon juice and zest, tarragon and cream. Warm but don't boil the sauce.
    • Wilt the spinach in the sauce and add back the chicken.
    • Add the cooked pasta, mix through and remove from heat.
    • You can serve at this point, or else add mozzarella,  transfer to baking dish, top with parmesan and bake.
    adding pasta into sauce

    The tarragon lemon cream sauce goes so well with the pasta, chicken and spinach. If baked, the slight crunch on top and stringy mozzarella just add to the comfort factor.

    This creamy lemon chicken pasta bake is so comforting and packed with flavor. Don't ever think pasta night needs to be boring again.

    Creamy lemon chicken pasta bake in dish with spoon to side of baking dish

    Looking for more comforting pasta dishes? Try these!

    • Pulled pork stuffed shells
    • Cheesy orzo pasta bake
    • Plus find many more comforting dishes in the winter recipes archives.

    I used this rectangular baking dish for this recipe which was a great fit. 

    See some of my favorite cooking tools and ingredients in the Caroline's Cooking Amazon store. 

    Creamy lemon chicken pasta bake in dish from overhead
    Print Recipe
    5 from 3 votes

    Creamy lemon chicken pasta bake

    This creamy lemon chicken pasta bake can be served either as a bake with a cheesy crust or made as a quicker, creamy dish. Either way, it's filled with delicious comfort factor!
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time40 minutes mins
    Total Time50 minutes mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 3 approx
    Calories: 783kcal
    Author: Caroline's Cooking
    SaveSaved!

    Ingredients

    • 8 oz pasta (I used penne but as you prefer)
    • 8 oz chicken (white or brown meat fine)
    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • ¼ onion finely diced
    • 1 clove garlic
    • 2 tablespoon white wine
    • 2 tbsp lemon juice
    • ½ lemon zest (ie from ½ lemon)
    • 2 tablespoon tarragon chopped fresh
    • ½ cup cream suggest heavy/double but as you prefer)
    • 2 oz spinach (2oz is about 2 cups, fairly well packed), roughly chopped if larger leaves
    • 4 oz mozzarella cut/broken into small pieces (omit if not baking)
    • ¼ cup parmesan (approx, omit if not baking)

    Instructions

    • If you will be making into a bake, preheat oven to 400F/200C.
    • Set the pasta to cook according to packet instructions. Drain once al dente and set aside.
    • Meanwhile, dice the chicken into a small bite-sized dice. Melt half the butter in a medium skillet/frying pan and cook the chicken until just cooked through. Remove from pan and set aside.
    • Add the rest of the butter to the skillet and soften the onion and garlic.
    • Deglaze the pan with the wine, add the lemon juice and zest, tarragon and cream. Warm but don't boil the sauce.
    • Wilt the spinach in the sauce and add back the chicken.
    • Add the cooked pasta, mix through and remove from heat.
    • You can serve at this point, or else to make as a bake, add the mozzarella, mix through and transfer to baking dish. Top with parmesan and bake for approx 20 minutes until lightly brown on top.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 783kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Cholesterol: 156mg | Sodium: 493mg | Potassium: 525mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 2950IU | Vitamin C: 13.3mg | Calcium: 372mg | Iron: 2.8mg
    Tried this recipe?Please consider Leaving a Review!

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    Remember to pin for later!

    This creamy lemon chicken pasta bake has so much tastiness going on from the tarragon lemon cream sauce that wraps together the pasta, chicken and spinach. Plus, you can serve it either straight up, while the sauce is creamier, or baked with added mozzarella for a cheesier bake. Either way, all delicious. #pastabake #lemoncreamsauce #bakedpasta #chickenpastabake
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    1. Jennifer says

      March 14, 2019 at 3:06 pm

      5 stars
      This chicken pasta bake was so delicious! My family loved it! I will be making this again!

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking says

        March 19, 2019 at 11:48 am

        So glad to hear!

        Reply
    2. sneha datar says

      January 15, 2019 at 3:37 am

      I love the lemony flavor in this pasta bake dish.

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking says

        January 19, 2019 at 11:53 am

        Thanks, it is a great flavor.

        Reply
    3. Cindy says

      January 14, 2019 at 7:44 pm

      I love lemon and chicken together. So good!

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking says

        January 19, 2019 at 11:50 am

        I agree, they work so well.

        Reply
    4. Karen says

      January 14, 2019 at 4:02 pm

      I love fresh tarragon and hate to waste it when I can get it. This pasta bake sounds like a delicious way to use the leftover herb!

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking says

        January 19, 2019 at 11:50 am

        I know what you mean, it has a great flavor but I need to build a better list of ways to use it so I don't waste it! This and my tarragon chicken are musts, though, now.

        Reply
    5. Sonia says

      January 14, 2019 at 3:42 pm

      This looks and sounds super delicious and full of amazing flavors! I am missing terragon ..will add that to my grocery list! Definitely trying it! Yum

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking says

        January 19, 2019 at 11:49 am

        I think even without the tarragon it would be great, but it does add a great flavor as well. Hope you enjoy.

        Reply
    6. Jill says

      January 14, 2019 at 11:30 am

      5 stars
      I'm loving all the flavors in this pasta bake. I have a recipe for chicken tarragon that my whole family enjoys, so I know they'll love this pasta bake!

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking says

        January 19, 2019 at 11:11 am

        We have tarragon chicken too, but the sauce is a bit different in the one I make. But this sauce is so tasty and works wonderfully with the chicken and pasta.

        Reply
    7. Lynda Hardy says

      January 14, 2019 at 11:08 am

      The tarragon lemon cream sauce sounds marvelous!

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking says

        January 19, 2019 at 11:10 am

        Thanks, it's such a great sauce.

        Reply
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