Lemon Pepper Chicken Pasta

Lemon Pepper Chicken Pasta — EASY and ready in 15 minutes with comforting pasta, juicy chicken, and there is so much ZESTY flavor from the lemon, basil, and spinach!! A family favorite that’s perfect for busy weeknights!! 

Quick Lemon Pepper Pasta with Chicken

This lemon pepper chicken pasta recipe is as simple as boiling pasta and while it cooks, to a separate skillet add bite-sized pieces of chicken breast and season it with lemon pepper, garlic, and lemon juice before adding fresh baby spinach.

Combine the cooked pasta, chicken, spinach, add fresh fragrant basil, and get ready to serve.

So fast, easy, ready in minutes, and full of robust lemon flavor which complements the basil perfectly.

This lemon chicken pasta is a guaranteed family favorite that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Who can say no to al dente pasta, juicy chicken, and all that lemon peppery and basil goodness?

Ingredients in Lemon Pepper Chicken Past

To make this lemon pepper chicken and pasta recipe, you’ll need: 

• Cooked rotini
• Chicken breasts
• Lemon pepper 
• Kosher salt
• Garlic
• Lemon juice
• Fresh baby spinach
• Fresh basil

How to Make Lemon Pepper Chicken Pasta

This is a 15-minute pasta recipe — it’s as easy as it gets! Pair it with a simple green side salad and you’ve got dinner on the table in no time.

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions.
2. While the pasta cooks, add the diced chicken to an oiled skillet and season with lemon pepper. Cook until no longer pink. 
3. Add the garlic, lemon juice, and spinach to the chicken. Cover and wait for the spinach to wilt.
4. Add the chicken, spinach, and all cooking juices to the pot with the cooked pasta, and stir to combine
5. Add the basil to the lemon pepper chicken and pasta, then serve immediately. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for Making Lemon Pepper Pasta with Chicken

Extra lemon flavor: If you are a true lemon fanatic like my daughter, add a bit of lemon zest at the end. In addition to the lemon pepper and lemon juice, this really takes the lemon flavor over the top, but I recommend this only if you’re really into lemony things.

Optional cheese: If you want to take this into a cheesy realm, add freshly grated Parmesan cheese at the end. I didn’t but I know it would take this lighter comfort food recipe squarely into pure comfort food territory. Do as your waistline prefers.

Chicken: I always have chicken breasts on hand, which is why I used them in this recipe.

What to Serve with the Pasta

Keep things simple by serving the lemon pepper pasta and chicken with a green side salad or steamed veggies. Or, prepare one or more of the following sides:

• Garlic Cheese Flatbread
• Cheese-Stuffed Bread Rolls
• 12 Superfoods Salad
• Kale Caesar Salad
• Balsamic Roasted Broccoli

Save Saved Review Print

4.50 from 18 votes

Lemon Pepper Basil Chicken and Pasta

By Averie Sunshine

This lemon pepper chicken pasta is EASY and ready in 15 minutes with comforting pasta, juicy chicken, plus there is so much ZESTY flavor!

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

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Ingredients  

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• ▢ 1 pound rotini, cooked according to package directions (small shells, wheels, bowtie, penne, or small-shaped pasta may be substituted)
• ▢ 1.25 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced into bite-sized pieces
• ▢ 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• ▢ 1 to 2 teaspoons lemon pepper, or to taste
• ▢ 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
• ▢ 3 to 4 cloves garlic, finely minced or pressed
• ▢ ¼ cup lemon juice
• ▢ 6 ounces fresh baby spinach
• ▢ ½ cup fresh basil, minced, or to taste

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions 

• To a large pot, boil the pasta according to package directions; drain and return to the large pot.
• While pasta cooks, to a separate large skillet, add the chicken, drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil, evenly season with lemon pepper, salt, and cook for about 5 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Stir and flip intermittently to ensure even cooking.
• Add the garlic and cook for one minute, or until fragrant. Stir nearly constantly.
• Add the lemon juice, half the spinach, stir to combine, and cover skillet with a lid for about 2 minutes to encourage spinach to wilt.
• Add the remaining half of the spinach, and stir to combine until wilted.
• Add the chicken, spinach, and all cooking juices to the pot with the cooked pasta, and stir to combine.
• Add the basil, remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, and stir to combine. Serve immediately. Recipe will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Notes

• 1. Optionally stir in about 1 to 2 teaspoons lemon zest for extra lemon flavor at the end.
• Optionally add about 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese at the end.

Nutrition

Serving: 1, Calories: 368kcal, Carbohydrates: 26g, Protein: 35g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g, Cholesterol: 80mg, Sodium: 748mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 1g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Originally posted August 16, 2019 and reposted August 27, 2021 with updated text.