One-Pot Lemon Chicken Pasta with Spinach
A single-pot meal featuring tender chicken, lemony sauce, and wilted spinach for a vibrant weeknight dinner. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 25 minutes pairs (450g) diced chicken thighs, (225g) penne pasta, fresh spinach for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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 lb (450g) diced chicken thighs
- 8 oz (225g) penne pasta
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 large (zest and juice) lemon
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 cup (240ml) chicken broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb diced chicken thighs, season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, and cook for 5 minutes until golden brown on all sides.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 8 oz penne pasta, 1 cup chicken broth, and 2 cups fresh spinach. Stir to combine.
- Step 4: Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 10 minutes until pasta is tender and sauce thickens, stirring once halfway.
- Step 5: Remove from heat, stir in lemon zest and juice, and serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Lemon Chicken Pasta with Spinach take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Pasta with Spinach?
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 (450g) diced chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Lemon Chicken Pasta with Spinach?
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 Pasta with Spinach 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 Pasta with Spinach?
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
- ★★★★★
This is now a staple in our house!
- ★★★★★
Perfect for a weeknight, so quick and tasty.
- ★★★★★
Loved the lemon flavor, my kids ate it all!
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