Lemon-Herb Chicken with Lemon-Dill Pasta

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken breasts baked with fresh herbs and served over a creamy lemon-dill pasta that comes together in under 30 minutes. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 40 minutes pairs (6 oz each) chicken breasts, olive oil, fresh lemon juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 680 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.

★ 3.9 (15 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 680 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels, then rub with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, oregano, garlic powder, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp pepper. Arrange in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  2. Step 2: Bake chicken for 20-22 minutes until golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F, then tent loosely with foil and let rest 5 minutes.
  3. Step 3: While chicken bakes, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz penne pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, reserving 1 cup pasta water before draining.
  4. Step 4: Whisk together 1/2 cup heavy cream, remaining 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp pepper in a saucepan over medium heat until simmering, then stir in 2 tbsp fresh dill and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan until smooth and creamy.
  5. Step 5: Add drained pasta to the saucepan with 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, tossing vigorously for 1 minute until sauce coats every strand. If too thick, add more pasta water 1 tbsp at a time.
  6. Step 6: Slice rested chicken breasts and arrange over pasta. Garnish with extra dill and serve immediately.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Lemon-Herb Chicken with Lemon-Dill Pasta take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 with Lemon-Dill Pasta?

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 (6 oz each) chicken breasts from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-Herb Chicken with Lemon-Dill Pasta?

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 with Lemon-Dill Pasta 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 with Lemon-Dill Pasta?

Italian pasta 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