Simple and delicious, this lemon pasta with chicken and broccoli can be made in one pot, while making a well-balanced, healthy meal.
We all need more simple, quick dinners to make for when the week gets busy and hectic. My Lemon Pasta with Chicken and Broccoli is a one pot wonder from start to finish. Instead of using a sauté pan for the chicken, a pot to blanch the broccoli, and a third pot to boil pasta, you can do it all in one! Or if weather permits, use the grill to cook the chicken. Who doesn’t like a meal that dirties less dishes?
If you love one-pan meals like I do, check out my Sausage Pesto Pasta and Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas!
Ingredients
- Spaghetti: Use whole-grain to increase your fiber intake, or your favorite gluten-free pasta to make the dish gluten free!
- Broccoli: High in fiber, vitamin C, and other nutrients, broccoli is slightly sweet and bitter in taste.
- Chicken: Low in calories but high in protein, chicken is affordable and accessible.
- Sea salt: Sea salt naturally enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Red chili flakes: Adds a bit of kick and heat to the sauce and chicken on the pasta.
- Olive oil: A heart healthy oil to cook in and dress the pasta.
- Garlic: Adds nutty, strong, aromatic flavor to the dish.
- Lemon: Using both the zest and juice creates a strong, citrusy sauce for the meal.
- Parmesan cheese: The nutty, salty cheese pairs well with the lemon flavor of the pasta.
- Pine nuts: Buy from the store or toast them yourself, pine nuts add a delicious, nutty crunch to the dish.
How to Make Lemon Pasta with Chicken and Broccoli
Step 1. Cook your pasta according to package instructions in a large pot of salted water.
Step 2. The last couple of minutes the pasta is cooking, add and boil the broccoli florets. Then strain, reserving some of the water.
Step 3. Cook your chicken in some olive oil over medium-high heat in a deep skillet, and season with sea salt and red chili flakes.
Step 4. Then using a microplane, grate your garlic clove in with the chicken.
Step 5. Add the spaghetti and broccoli in with the chicken, as well as some of the reserved pasta water.
Step 6. Then zest your lemon and add the zest to the pasta.
Step 7. After zesting, cut the lemon in half and squeeze the juice over the pasta.
Step 8. Finish with the grated parmesan cheese and stir until evenly mixed.
Serve garnished with toasted pine nuts and fresh basil, and enjoy your Lemon Pasta with Chicken and Broccoli!
Frequently Asked Questions
You can boil your broccoli with your pasta, separately, or add it raw. Whichever you prefer!
I use the lemon juice to make the sauce, so in this recipe I add it after cooking the chicken. But lemon juice can be used in marinades, too!
Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
More Simple Dinners
- One-Pan Italian Sausage Pasta
- Slow Cooker Chicken Curry
- Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
- Lazy Day Lebanese Stuffed Cabbage
- Salmon with Lemon and Oregano
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A simple and delicious meal the whole family can enjoy, and easy cleanup that mom or dad can enjoy, my Lemon Pasta with Chicken and Broccoli is a no brainer for dinner.
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Lemon Pasta with Chicken and Broccoli
Ingredients
- 8 ounces whole wheat spaghetti
- 4 cups broccoli (cut in long florets)
- 10 ounces chicken breast
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (+ 1 tsp)
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 Juice of one lemon (and Zest)
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts (toasted)
- Fresh basil (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Pre-heat grill to high heat.
- Bring a large pot of salty water to boil and cook spaghetti according to package instructions. (Subtract a minute of cooking time for al dente.)
- Add broccoli to the boiling water with pasta when there are 2 minutes left of cooking time. Drain pasta and broccoli, reserving 1 c starchy cooking liquid.
- Lightly brush chicken breast with 1 tsp of olive oil, sea salt and red chili flakes. Grill chicken breast until browned, about 4 minutes per side. Alternatively, you can saute in the bottom of the same pot you boil the pasta.
- In the same pot that you cooked the pasta and broccoli, heat remaining 1 tbs of olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add in pasta, broccoli and cooked chicken (cut in cubes).
- If mixture seems dry, add in a bit of the reserved starchy cooking liquid until you reach desired consistency.
- Season with lemon juice, zest and Parmesan cheese. Check for seasoning and add more salt or pepper if needed.
- Garnish with toasted pine nuts and fresh basil.
Last Step:
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