Lemon Garlic Chicken Spaghetti Squash (Printable)

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

# What You'll 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 (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 1 tbsp olive oil, then season with ½ tsp kosher salt and ¼ tsp black pepper. Place cut-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
02 - Roast the squash 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 ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper, ½ tsp dried 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 2 tbsp 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. Sprinkle with ½ cup grated Parmesan and extra parsley. Serve with lemon wedges if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The way zesty lemon and roasted garlic dance together makes every forkful feel like a little celebration
  • Its the kind of healthy meal that actually leaves you feeling satisfied and comforted, not deprived
  • The whole house smells incredible while the squash roasts, like someone who knows what theyre doing lives here
02 -
  • Letting the squash cool for even five minutes makes the strand-scraping so much easier, trust me on this
  • Overcrowding the pan with chicken will steam instead of sear, work in batches if necessary
  • The lemon juice goes in at the end to keep its bright, fresh character from cooking away
03 -
  • Use a microplane for the lemon zest to avoid the bitter white pith
  • Room temperature chicken cooks more evenly, take it out of the fridge 20 minutes before you start
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