One-Pot Creamy Lemon Chicken & Herb Pasta

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-01 · Updated 2026-04-01

A comforting weeknight dinner with tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a bright lemon-herb sauce that comes together in one pot. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 35 minutes pairs spaghetti, boneless chicken breasts, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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.

Ingredients

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 1 lb boneless chicken breasts
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves, minced garlic
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 2 tbsp dried parsley
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Season chicken breasts with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat; add chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and slice into 1/2-inch strips.
2. Step 2: Add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil to the pot, then add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
3. Step 3: Add spaghetti to the pot, pour in 3 cups water, and bring to a rolling boil. Cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente.
4. Step 4: Stir in lemon juice, heavy cream, thyme, parsley, remaining 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
5. Step 5: Add sliced chicken back to the pot, toss to combine, and cook for 1 more minute to heat through.