Bright, zesty, and ready in minutes, this cozy skillet-style dinner brings juicy chicken and pasta together with lemon and garlic for minimal cleanup and maximum comfort. Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta in One Pot shines on busy weeknights and makes easy leftovers for lunch. If you love simple dinners, pair it with a one-pan caprese chicken for another quick meal.
Why You’ll Love This Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta in One Pot
- Bright lemon and aromatic garlic for big flavor with little fuss.
- One-pot cooking means fast cleanup and kid-friendly dinners.
- Ready in about 30 minutes for busy weeknights.
- Great for meal prep and reheats well for next-day lunches.
- Flexible ingredients let you add veggies or swap proteins easily.
Ingredients Needed
- Protein
- 1 pound chicken breast, cubed
- Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta (such as penne or fettuccine)
- Aromatics
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
- Liquids
- 2 cups chicken broth
- Oil & Spices
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Toppings
- Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the cubed chicken breast to the pot and season with salt and pepper.
- Sauté the chicken for about 5–7 minutes until browned and cooked through; remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add 2 cups chicken broth, lemon juice, lemon zest, and 1 teaspoon dried oregano; bring to a boil.
- Stir in the 12 ounces pasta and return the cooked chicken to the pot.
- Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for about 10–12 minutes until pasta is al dente.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed, then serve warm garnished with Parmesan if desired.
Serving Suggestions Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta in One Pot
- Serve with a simple mixed green salad and lemon vinaigrette for brightness.
- Add steamed asparagus or roasted cherry tomatoes for color and texture.
- Offer crusty garlic bread or warm rolls for soaking up sauce.
- For extra protein on the side, try the air fryer honey butter garlic chicken tenders recipe as a fun pairing.
- Finish with extra lemon zest and a sprinkle of fresh parsley for presentation.
Tips for Success Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta in One Pot
- Cut the chicken into even cubes so it cooks through in the same time.
- Keep the heat at a steady simmer after adding pasta to prevent sticking or boiling over.
- If the pasta soaks up too much liquid, stir in a splash of extra chicken broth or water while reheating.
- Use freshly zested lemon for the brightest flavor and add juice to taste.
- For kid-friendly seasoning ideas, see the air fryer honey butter garlic chicken tenders for inspiration on milder glazes.
Variations
Here are a few easy ways to change it up:
- Swap chicken for shrimp; add raw shrimp in the last 3–4 minutes of pasta cooking.
- Make it spicy by stirring in red pepper flakes or a drizzle of chili oil.
- Dairy-free option: omit Parmesan and finish with a drizzle of olive oil and extra lemon zest.
- Add veggies like spinach, peas, or mushrooms for more color and nutrition.
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Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta in One Pot
Bright, zesty, and ready in minutes, this cozy skillet-style dinner brings juicy chicken and pasta together with lemon and garlic for minimal cleanup and maximum comfort.
Ingredients
Protein
- 1 pound chicken breast, cubed
Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta (such as penne or fettuccine)
Aromatics
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
Liquids
- 2 cups chicken broth
Oil & Spices
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- to taste Salt and pepper
Toppings
- Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
Instructions
Cooking
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the cubed chicken breast to the pot and season with salt and pepper.
- Sauté the chicken for about 5–7 minutes until browned and cooked through; remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add 2 cups chicken broth, lemon juice, lemon zest, and 1 teaspoon dried oregano; bring to a boil.
- Stir in the 12 ounces pasta and return the cooked chicken to the pot.
- Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for about 10–12 minutes until pasta is al dente.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed, then serve warm garnished with Parmesan if desired.
Notes
Cut the chicken into even cubes so it cooks through in the same time. Keep the heat at a steady simmer after adding pasta to prevent sticking or boiling over. If the pasta soaks up too much liquid, stir in a splash of extra chicken broth or water while reheating. Use freshly zested lemon for the brightest flavor and add juice to taste. For kid-friendly seasoning ideas, see the air fryer honey butter garlic chicken tenders for inspiration on milder glazes.