Description
A comforting one-pot dish combining bright lemon, garlic, and tender chicken over pasta, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (about 680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 4 additional cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups (32 oz or 950ml) low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup (8 oz or 240ml) heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1 lb (450g) dried pasta, such as penne, rotini, or fettuccine
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 1–2 lemons)
- 5 oz (about 140g) fresh baby spinach
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- Red pepper flakes, optional, for a touch of heat
Instructions
- Combine the cubed chicken, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, dried oregano, salt, pepper, and lemon zest. Toss well and set aside for at least 15 minutes.
- Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the remaining olive oil, then add the marinated chicken in a single layer. Sear for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium, add the butter, and once melted, add the onions. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent, then add the remaining garlic and cook for another minute.
- Pour a splash of chicken broth to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits. Then add the remaining broth and heavy cream, bringing it to a gentle simmer.
- Add the dried pasta, ensuring it’s submerged. Bring it back to a simmer, cover, and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, and spinach until the spinach wilts and cheese melts.
- Return the chicken to the pot and mix until heated through. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve garnished with parsley, extra Parmesan, and red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
For a lighter version, substitute some heavy cream with chicken broth. Adjust seasonings to taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: pasta, chicken, lemon garlic, one-pot meal, family dinner