Lemon Garlic Chicken Spaghetti Squash (Printable Version)

Tender lemon-garlic chicken over roasted spaghetti squash with Parmesan.

# What You Need:

→ For the Spaghetti Squash

01 - 1 large spaghetti squash, about 3 lbs
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - ½ tsp kosher salt
04 - ¼ tsp black pepper

→ For the Lemon Garlic Chicken

05 - 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
06 - 2 tbsp olive oil
07 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 lemon, zested and juiced
09 - ½ tsp dried oregano
10 - ½ tsp salt
11 - ¼ tsp black pepper
12 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

→ For Serving

13 - ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
14 - Extra lemon wedges
15 - Fresh parsley for garnish

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Halve the spaghetti squash lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Drizzle the cut sides with olive oil, then season with salt and pepper. Place cut-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment.
02 - Roast for 40–45 minutes, until the flesh is tender and strands separate easily with a fork. Set aside to cool slightly.
03 - While the squash roasts, season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, oregano, and half the lemon zest.
04 - In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes.
05 - Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
06 - Stir in the remaining lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped parsley. Cook for 1–2 minutes, then remove from heat.
07 - Once the squash is cool enough to handle, use a fork to scrape the flesh into spaghetti-like strands.
08 - Divide the squash among plates. Top each with the lemon garlic chicken and pan sauce.
09 - Sprinkle with Parmesan and extra parsley. Serve with lemon wedges if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The combination of tender roasted squash and bright lemon garlic chicken hits that perfect spot between comfort food and something light enough for any night of the week
  • Everything comes together on one baking sheet and one skillet, meaning minimal cleanup and maximum flavor payoff
02 -
  • The squash needs to cool slightly before scraping, but if it gets too cold the strands won't separate as easily
  • Don't crowd the chicken in the pan or it will steam instead of getting that golden sear
03 -
  • Cut your chicken into uniform pieces so everything cooks at the same rate
  • Zest your lemon before juicing it, it's much easier to handle the whole fruit while it's still firm
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