One-Pot Creamy Lemon Herb Chicken & Pasta

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A comforting weeknight dinner with tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a vibrant lemon-herb sauce that comes together in a single pot. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 35 minutes pairs spaghetti, chicken breasts, olive oil 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 620 cal/serving
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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 set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb cubed chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, then set aside.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, and sauté for 2-3 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 1 cup chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits, then simmer for 2 minutes until slightly reduced.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tsp dried oregano, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  6. Step 6: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet and toss to coat, adding 1/4 cup reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Step 7: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped parsley and serve topped with 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pot Creamy Lemon Herb Chicken & Pasta 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 One-Pot Creamy Lemon Herb Chicken & 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 spaghetti from drying out.

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

Italian 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.

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