One-Pot Lemon Chicken and Pasta
A vibrant weeknight dinner featuring tender chicken and pasta in a bright lemon-herb sauce, ready in under 30 minutes. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 40 minutes pairs ounces penne pasta, tablespoons olive oil, medium, zested and juiced lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 500 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
- 1 pound, boneless and skinless chicken thighs
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 medium, zested and juiced lemon
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 1.5 cups chicken broth
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Add 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs, season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown, then remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Step 4: Stir in 8 ounces penne pasta, 1.5 cups chicken broth, and 2 medium zested and juiced lemons, bringing to a simmer.
- Step 5: Return chicken to skillet, add 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, and simmer uncovered for 12-14 minutes until pasta is tender and sauce reduces slightly, stirring occasionally.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Lemon Chicken and 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 One-Pot Lemon Chicken and 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 ounces penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Lemon Chicken and 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 Lemon Chicken and 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 Lemon Chicken and 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 25-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
