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A hearty helping of one pan chicken pea pasta, prepared by Your Barefoot Neighbor Matthew Bounds, is on a plate next to sliced lemons
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Lemon Chicken Pea Pasta

This Lemon Chicken Pea Pasta is a bright, creamy, and comforting one-pan meal that's perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, sweet peas, and creamy Boursin cheese come together with pasta in a rich lemony sauce that's packed with flavor while still feeling fresh and light.
The sun-dried tomato oil adds incredible depth to the chicken while smoked paprika brings a subtle smoky flavor that pairs beautifully with the bright lemon juice. As the pasta cooks directly in the broth, it absorbs all the savory flavors, creating a sauce that's rich without requiring heavy cream.
The addition of Boursin cheese creates a silky, creamy finish that coats every piece of pasta. Sweet peas add a pop of color and sweetness that balances the savory chicken and tangy lemon perfectly. Finished with fresh parsley, this dish feels both comforting and vibrant at the same time.
Best of all, everything cooks in one pan, making cleanup simple and allowing the flavors to build throughout the cooking process.
Cook Time30 minutes
Course: dinner, lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian, Mediterranean
Keyword: comfort food, creamy, one-pan, quick
Servings: 4

Equipment

  • 1 Large skillet

Ingredients

  • 1 pound chicken breast cubed
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons sun-dried tomato oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 additional teaspoon sun-dried tomato oil
  • ⅓ jar sun-dried tomatoes chopped
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 1 pound orecchiette pasta
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 to 2½ cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup frozen sweet peas
  • 1 block Boursin cheese
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  • Drizzle 1 to 2 teaspoons of the oil from the sun-dried tomato jar over the cubed chicken.
  • Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and sauté the chicken until browned and cooked through.
  • Add another teaspoon of sun-dried tomato oil to the skillet.
  • Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Add the orecchiette pasta, lemon juice, and chicken broth.
  • Stir well, cover, and simmer until the pasta is tender, stirring occasionally and adding additional broth if needed.
  • Add the frozen sweet peas and Boursin cheese.
  • Stir until the cheese has completely melted and created a creamy sauce.
  • Continue cooking for another 2 to 3 minutes until everything is heated through.
  • Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.

Notes

Tips

  • Because this recipe uses a full pound of pasta, you may need additional chicken broth as the pasta cooks.
  • Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
  • Garlic and Fine Herbs Boursin works especially well in this recipe.
  • Freshly squeezed lemon juice provides the brightest flavor.
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese makes a delicious optional topping.

 

Serving Ideas

Serve this pasta with a simple green salad, roasted asparagus, garlic bread, or steamed broccoli. It also pairs beautifully with a crisp white wine and makes excellent leftovers for lunch the next day.
The combination of creamy Boursin, bright lemon, savory chicken, sweet peas, and sun-dried tomatoes creates a perfectly balanced pasta dish that's simple enough for weeknights yet impressive enough for guests. Every bite is creamy, fresh, and packed with flavor.