One-Pot Lemon Chicken and Pasta with Spinach

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A complete meal in one pot with tender chicken, al dente pasta, and fresh spinach in a bright lemon-herb sauce, ready in 40 minutes. This Italian-inspired one-pot recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs chicken thighs, penne pasta, low-sodium chicken broth 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 500 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Season the 12 oz boneless, skinless chicken thighs with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, then add the chicken and cook for 5 minutes per side until golden brown, then remove and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 tbsp olive oil to the pot, then stir in the 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp dried oregano, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Add the 8 oz penne pasta, 1.5 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper, then bring to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally.
  5. Step 5: Nestle the cooked chicken back into the pot, add the 2 cups fresh spinach, and simmer for 10-12 minutes until the pasta is al dente and sauce thickens, stirring occasionally.
  6. Step 6: Stir in 1 tsp lemon zest and serve immediately.

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