Lemon Garlic Chicken Spaghetti Squash (Printable format)

Tender lemon-garlic chicken atop roasted spaghetti squash with Parmesan. Vibrant, gluten-free, and ready in 65 minutes.

# List of ingredients:

→ 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

→ For Serving

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

# How to make it:

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

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • That moment when the spaghetti squash strands hit the lemon garlic sauce is pure kitchen magic
  • Feels fancy enough for dinner guests but comes together on a random Tuesday
  • The way fresh lemon makes everything taste like sunshine, no matter the season
02 -
  • Squash size varies wildly, so give yours a squeeze before roasting and adjust the time if it feels unusually dense or light
  • The pan sauce is the whole point of this dish, do not skip scraping up those browned bits with the lemon juice
  • Letting the squash cool slightly makes the strands separate better but serve it while still warm
03 -
  • Line your baking sheet with parchment for easy cleanup, roasted squash can stick and nobody wants to scrub pans after dinner
  • Cut the chicken into slightly larger pieces than you think you need, they shrink as they cook
  • Zest your lemon before juicing it, much easier to handle when it is still whole
Return