Lemon Garlic Chicken Spaghetti Squash (Printable Version)

Tender lemon-garlic chicken atop roasted spaghetti squash, finished with Parmesan. A light, satisfying gluten-free main dish.

# What You’ll 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 - Fresh parsley for garnish
15 - Extra lemon wedges for serving

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Halve spaghetti squash lengthwise and scoop out seeds. Drizzle cut sides with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place cut-side down on parchment-lined baking sheet.
02 - Roast for 40 to 45 minutes until flesh is tender and strands separate easily with fork. 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 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 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 fork to scrape flesh into spaghetti-like strands.
08 - Divide squash among serving plates. Top each portion with lemon garlic chicken and pan sauce.
09 - Sprinkle with Parmesan and fresh parsley. Serve with lemon wedges if desired.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The way the lemon cuts through the richness creates that perfect balance we all crave but cannot quite name until we taste it
  • Roasting the squash first builds a sweetness that plays beautifully against the savory garlic chicken
  • Leftovers somehow taste better the next day, if they survive that long
02 -
  • The squash will continue to release moisture as it sits, so serve immediately for the best texture
  • Patting the chicken dry before seasoning helps it develop a better sear and prevents steaming
03 -
  • Use a microplane for the lemon zest to avoid the bitter white pith
  • Let the chicken rest in the pan off heat for a minute before serving so it absorbs more of those juices
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