Beach Street Lemon Chicken Pasta

 Thanks to Jessie for sharing this delicious recipe from Mel's Kitchen Cafe.  I didn't change a thing and would make it all over again just the way it was.

PASTA:

•  1 pound linguine, spaghetti or fettuccine 
•  2 tablespoons olive oil
•  1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest (from 1 medium lemon)
•  2 to 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 1-2 medium lemons)
•  2 to 3 green onions, finely chopped (white and green parts)
•  1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
•  Salt and freshly ground pepper
•  1/2 to 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

MARINADE:

•  1/2 cup olive oil
•  4 cloves garlic, crushed or finely minced
•  2 tablespoons brown sugar
•  1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
•  1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2-3 medium lemons)
•  1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
•  1/4 cup soy sauce
•  1 to 1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts, sliced into 1/2-inch strips or bite-size pieces

INSTRUCTIONS

1. For the marinade, combine the olive oil, garlic, brown sugar, cajun seasoning, lemon juice, parsley, and soy sauce. Toss the marinade and chicken together in a shallow dish or ziploc bag. Cover and refrigerate at least an hour or up to 12 (better flavor the longer it marinades).
2. For the pasta, combine juice of one lemon, lemon zest, olive oil, green onions and fresh parsley together in a small bowl. Set aside.
3. Cook pasta in lightly salted water until al dente according to package directions. Drain and return to the pot off the heat. Pour the lemon juice/olive oil/green onion mixture over pasta and toss lightly to combine.
4. Heat a 12-inch skillet over medium heat; add the marinade AND the chicken to the skillet, moving the chicken pieces so they are in a single layer. Cook over medium-high heat until the chicken is cooked through, 4-5 minutes.
5. Add the pasta to the skillet with the chicken OR pour the chicken and cooked marinade over the pasta in the pot (whichever will fit the mixture best). Toss with Parmesan cheese and season to taste with salt and pepper, if needed. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.