Lemon Garlic Chicken Spaghetti Squash (Printable)

Tender lemon-garlic chicken atop roasted spaghetti squash strands, finished with Parmesan. Light, healthy, and gluten-free.

# What You Need:

→ Spaghetti Squash

01 - 1 large spaghetti squash, approximately 3 lbs
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - ½ teaspoon kosher salt
04 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Lemon Garlic Chicken

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

→ Finishing

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

# Directions:

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

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It feels indulgent but leaves you energized instead of sleepy, perfect for weeknight dinners when you still want to feel human afterward.
  • The lemon and garlic create a sauce so aromatic that everyone drifts into the kitchen asking what smells so good.
  • You get the comfort of a pasta dish with none of the heaviness, and it reheats beautifully for lunch the next day.
02 -
  • Don't skip roasting the squash cut-side down, it steams the flesh and prevents it from drying out or sticking to the pan.
  • If your chicken pieces are uneven, the small ones will overcook while the large ones stay raw, so take the extra minute to cut them uniformly.
  • Add the garlic only after the chicken is cooked, or it will burn and turn bitter in the hot oil.
03 -
  • Use a sharp chef's knife and a damp towel under your cutting board to safely halve the squash, it can be stubborn and slippery.
  • Let the chicken rest in the pan for a moment after cooking so the juices redistribute, cutting into it too soon makes it dry.
  • Taste the pan sauce before serving and adjust with a pinch more salt or an extra squeeze of lemon, it should be bright and balanced.
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