Lemon Garlic Chicken Spaghetti Squash (Printer View)

Tender lemon-garlic chicken atop roasted spaghetti squash strands with Parmesan—a light, satisfying gluten-free main dish.

# What you'll need:

→ Spaghetti Squash

01 - 1 large spaghetti squash, approximately 3 pounds
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

# Method:

01 - Preheat 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 parchment-lined baking sheet.
02 - Roast for 40 to 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 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and cooked through, about 6 to 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 to 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 strands among plates. Top each portion with the lemon garlic chicken and pan sauce.
09 - Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and additional fresh parsley. Serve with lemon wedges if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The way lemon cuts through the richness makes each bite feel exciting instead of heavy
  • You get that comfort food satisfaction while actually eating something good for you
  • The whole house smells incredible while the squash roasts
02 -
  • Dont rush the squash roasting time. Undercooked squash stays crunchy and never develops that proper texture.
  • Let the chicken pieces get a good sear before moving them around. That brown stuff on the pan is pure flavor.
  • Add the lemon juice off the heat. Cooking it too long diminishes the fresh brightness you want.
03 -
  • Use a vegetable peeler to remove the lemon zest in wide strips before juicing. This way you get bright yellow zest without any bitter white pith.
  • Room temperature chicken cooks more evenly and develops better color, so take it out of the fridge 20 minutes before cooking.
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