Lemon Garlic Chicken Spaghetti Squash (Printable)

Tender lemon-garlic chicken over roasted squash strands with Parmesan

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 (optional)
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. Stir in the remaining lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped parsley. Cook for 1–2 minutes, then remove from heat.
06 - Once the squash is cool enough to handle, use a fork to scrape the flesh into spaghetti-like strands.
07 - Divide the squash among plates. Top each with the lemon garlic chicken and pan sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan and extra parsley. Serve with lemon wedges if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The combination of lemon and garlic creates an incredibly bright, fresh flavor that makes healthy eating feel luxurious
  • Spaghetti squash gives you all the satisfaction of twirling noodles without the heavy carb crash
  • Everything comes together in about an hour with mostly hands-off cooking time
02 -
  • Squash size varies wildly, so use the fork test rather than relying strictly on time for doneness
  • Do not overcrowd your pan when searing the chicken or it will steam instead of getting that beautiful golden crust
  • Garlic burns incredibly fast, so keep it moving once it hits the pan
03 -
  • Use a rimmed baking sheet for the squash because some liquid releases during roasting
  • Room temperature chicken cooks more evenly than cold from the fridge
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