This lemon ricotta spaghetti with chicken is a creamy and flavorful dish perfect for a weeknight dinner.
It features tender chicken and a bright lemon ricotta sauce, making it a fantastic option when you need something delicious on the table fast. It’s a meal that feels a little fancy but comes together with surprising ease, proving that gourmet flavors don’t require hours in the kitchen.
Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out, this recipe offers a straightforward approach to a satisfying pasta dish. The combination of zesty lemon and rich ricotta creates a sauce that clings beautifully to the spaghetti, while the chicken adds a hearty protein element. It’s a complete meal in one pan, designed for convenience and maximum flavor.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
- Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Lemon Ricotta Spaghetti with Chicken
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This lemon ricotta spaghetti with chicken is a creamy and flavorful dish perfect for a weeknight dinner. It features tender chicken and a bright lemon ricotta sauce, making it a fantastic option when you need something delicious on the table fast. It’s a meal that feels a little fancy but comes together with surprising ease, proving that gourmet flavors don’t require hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. 1. Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water. Drain the spaghetti and set aside.
2. 2. Prepare the Chicken: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and lightly browned on all sides. The chicken should no longer be pink in the center. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside.
3. 3. Saute the Garlic: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter quickly.
4. 4. Make the Ricotta Sauce Base: Remove the skillet from the heat. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir until well combined and smooth.
5. 5. Combine and Create the Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti, the cooked chicken, and the ricotta mixture to the skillet with the garlic. Pour in the reserved 1/4 cup of pasta water. Toss everything together vigorously until the spaghetti is evenly coated with the creamy sauce. The pasta water helps to emulsify the sauce and make it extra silky.
6. 6. Season and Serve: Taste the spaghetti and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese before serving immediately.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: saute
- Cuisine: italian-american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
Keywords: spaghetti, chicken, lemon, ricotta, pasta, creamy, weeknight, easy, dinner, quick
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This recipe is a true weeknight hero because it delivers big on flavor without demanding a lot of your time or culinary expertise. It’s perfect for busy families, individuals looking for a quick yet wholesome meal, or anyone who appreciates a bright and creamy pasta dish. You’ll love how quickly the chicken cooks up and how effortlessly the lemon ricotta sauce comes together. It’s an ideal choice when you want something comforting and satisfying after a long day, but don’t want to spend an hour stirring pots. The vibrant lemon cuts through the richness of the ricotta, creating a balanced and incredibly appealing taste that even picky eaters tend to enjoy. Serve it for a casual family dinner, a cozy night in, or even as a simple meal prep option for lunches throughout the week.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients before you start cooking is key to a smooth and stress-free experience. This recipe uses readily available items that you might already have in your pantry and fridge, making it even quicker to pull together.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from about 1 lemon)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (from about 1 lemon)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
For the spaghetti, any long pasta shape will work well if you don’t have spaghetti on hand. Linguine or fettuccine are excellent alternatives. When choosing ricotta, whole milk ricotta will give you the creamiest and richest sauce, but part-skim can be used if you prefer a lighter option. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese makes a significant difference in flavor compared to pre-grated varieties, so opt for fresh if possible. Don’t skip the fresh lemon juice and zest; they are crucial for that bright, zesty flavor that defines this dish. If you don’t have fresh parsley, a sprinkle of dried parsley can work in a pinch, but fresh provides a much better aroma and visual appeal.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This recipe is designed for speed and efficiency, making it perfect for those busy weeknights.
Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes
These times are estimates and can vary slightly depending on how quickly you chop ingredients and how long it takes your water to boil. However, with a little organization, you can easily have this delicious meal on the table in about half an hour.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating this lemon ricotta spaghetti with chicken is a straightforward process. Follow these steps for a delicious and satisfying meal.
- Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water. Drain the spaghetti and set aside.
- Prepare the Chicken: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and lightly browned on all sides. The chicken should no longer be pink in the center. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the Garlic: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter quickly.
- Make the Ricotta Sauce Base: Remove the skillet from the heat. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir until well combined and smooth.
- Combine and Create the Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti, the cooked chicken, and the ricotta mixture to the skillet with the garlic. Pour in the reserved 1/4 cup of pasta water. Toss everything together vigorously until the spaghetti is evenly coated with the creamy sauce. The pasta water helps to emulsify the sauce and make it extra silky.
- Season and Serve: Taste the spaghetti and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese before serving immediately.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This lemon ricotta spaghetti is wonderfully versatile and can be adapted to suit different tastes and occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you can cut the chicken into smaller, bite-sized pieces or even use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to save time. If your children are sensitive to lemon, you can reduce the amount of zest and juice slightly, or offer a squeeze of lemon at the table for adults.
To add more vegetables, consider stirring in a handful of fresh spinach or arugula at the very end; the residual heat will wilt them perfectly. Blanched broccoli florets or sautéed mushrooms would also be delicious additions. For a vegetarian option, simply omit the chicken and add extra vegetables or a can of drained cannellini beans for protein.
This dish is fantastic on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a simple side salad dressed with a light vinaigrette, or some crusty garlic bread for soaking up every last bit of the creamy sauce. For a slightly richer flavor, you could stir in a tablespoon of butter or a splash of heavy cream with the ricotta mixture, though it’s perfectly creamy without it.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have a few pitfalls. Knowing what to watch out for will help you achieve perfect results every time.
One common mistake is overcooking the pasta. Overcooked spaghetti becomes mushy and doesn’t hold the sauce as well. Always cook your pasta to al dente, which means it should still have a slight bite to it. Check the package directions and start tasting a minute or two before the suggested cook time.
Another slip-up is forgetting to reserve pasta water. This starchy water is crucial for creating a smooth, emulsified sauce that clings to the pasta. Without it, your sauce might be too thick or not coat the spaghetti evenly. Make it a habit to scoop out some pasta water before draining.
Overcooking the garlic is another common issue. Garlic burns quickly and can turn bitter, ruining the flavor of your sauce. Cook it for just 30 seconds to a minute, until fragrant, and keep a close eye on it. If it starts to brown, remove the skillet from the heat immediately.
Finally, not seasoning adequately can leave your dish tasting bland. Remember to season the chicken as it cooks and taste the final dish before serving, adjusting salt and pepper as needed. The brightness of the lemon can sometimes mask the need for salt, so trust your taste buds.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
This lemon ricotta spaghetti with chicken is best enjoyed fresh, as the sauce can thicken and the pasta can soften upon sitting. However, if you have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
When reheating, the sauce may appear a bit dry or clumpy. To restore its creamy texture, add a splash of water, chicken broth, or even a little milk before gently reheating on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave. Stir frequently until heated through and the sauce has loosened up again. Avoid overheating, as this can make the chicken dry and the pasta mushy.
Making this dish ahead of time isn’t ideal for the pasta itself, but you can certainly prep components. Cook and shred the chicken in advance, or even make the ricotta mixture (without the pasta water) and store it separately in the fridge. This way, when you’re ready to eat, all you need to do is cook the spaghetti, heat the chicken, and combine everything for a quick assembly.
Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts? Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs would work wonderfully and might even add a bit more moisture and flavor. Adjust cooking time slightly as thighs can take a minute or two longer to cook through.
**What if I
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
