One-Pot Lemon Herb Chicken and Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
A vibrant weeknight dinner featuring tender chicken thighs simmered in a bright lemon-herb sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, served over perfectly al dente pasta. This mediterranean-inspired one pot ready in about 45 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, olive oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 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
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/4 cup, drained sun-dried tomatoes in oil
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season chicken thighs with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp pepper, then sear until golden brown on both sides, about 4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil to the pot, then stir in minced garlic and oregano. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Step 3: Pour in white wine and broth, scraping up browned bits from the pot. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Step 4: Return chicken to the pot, add sun-dried tomatoes, and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F.
- Step 5: While chicken simmers, cook spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
- Step 6: Stir lemon zest and fresh basil into the chicken sauce. Add drained spaghetti and toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water 1 tbsp at a time until sauce clings to noodles.
- Step 7: Season with additional salt and pepper to taste, then serve immediately with extra basil for garnish.
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 with Sun-Dried Tomatoes take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 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 with Sun-Dried Tomatoes?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Lemon Herb Chicken and Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes?
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 with Sun-Dried Tomatoes 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 with Sun-Dried Tomatoes?
Mediterranean 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
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.