One-Pot Lemon Herb Chicken and Pasta
A vibrant weeknight dinner where tender chicken and al dente pasta cook together in a bright lemon-herb sauce with no extra pots to clean. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 35 minutes pairs spaghetti, olive oil, minced garlic 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
- 2 boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch cubes chicken breasts
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 1, zested and juiced lemon
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Season chicken cubes with salt and pepper, then add to the pot and cook for 5-6 minutes until golden brown on all sides and cooked through; remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil to the pot, then add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant and golden, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Step 3: Add spaghetti to the pot, pour in chicken broth and lemon juice, and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer.
- Step 4: Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and liquid has reduced by half.
- Step 5: Stir in lemon zest, parsley, basil, and cooked chicken. Cook for 1 minute until sauce thickens and coats the pasta.
- Step 6: Remove from heat, stir in 2 tbsp reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick, and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Lemon Herb Chicken and 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 Lemon Herb 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 spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Lemon Herb 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 Herb 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 Herb 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
- ★★★★★
My partner, who's usually picky, absolutely loved this.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
