Lemon-Herb Chicken & Pasta One-Pot Wonder

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken and al dente pasta simmered in a bright, herb-infused sauce with a touch of cream, ready in under 30 minutes. This american-inspired one pot ready in about 35 minutes pairs spaghetti, olive oil, small (diced, 1/2 cup) onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 3.8 (14 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 American cuisine 620 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil; add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add chicken pieces and cook for 5-6 minutes until golden brown on all sides, then transfer to a plate.
  3. Step 3: Add diced onion to the skillet and sauté for 3 minutes until softened, then add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 1 cup chicken broth and 1/2 cup heavy cream, scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen browned bits; bring to a gentle simmer and stir in 2 tbsp lemon juice and 1 tsp dried oregano.
  5. Step 5: Return chicken to the skillet, add drained spaghetti, and stir to combine; if the sauce is too thick, add 2-3 tablespoons of reserved pasta water until creamy.
  6. Step 6: Season with salt and pepper to taste, then stir in 2 tbsp fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Lemon-Herb Chicken & Pasta One-Pot Wonder take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Lemon-Herb Chicken & Pasta One-Pot Wonder?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep spaghetti from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-Herb Chicken & Pasta One-Pot Wonder?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Lemon-Herb Chicken & Pasta One-Pot Wonder for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Lemon-Herb Chicken & Pasta One-Pot Wonder?

American one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes