Lemon Parmesan Chicken Pasta

🍋🍗 Lemon Chicken Spinach Penne — Bright, Fresh, and Weeknight‑Easy

The pasta that makes you feel like you’re eating sunshine… but in a totally cozy, fork‑twirling way.

 

This Lemon Chicken Spinach Penne is the kind of dinner that checks all the boxes — quick, healthy, flavorful, and just fancy enough to make you feel like you’re dining al fresco in Italy (even if you’re actually in yoga pants at your kitchen table). It’s got tender bites of chicken, a silky lemon‑white wine sauce, fresh spinach for that “I’m being good” vibe, and a sprinkle of Parmesan to tie it all together.

It’s:

• Bright and zesty — lemon juice + zest = flavor magic.
• Balanced — protein, greens, whole grains, all in one bowl.
• Fast — on the table in under 30 minutes.

💬 Reader prompt: Are you a “pasta every day if I could” person, or do you save it for special occasions?

 This recipe is one for the books. I have been attempting to eat more healthy these days so I’m trying to move away from my favorite pasta, Alfredo. I love Alfredo so dang much! It’s so bad for me, I know this. This was super good, the lemon makes the dish so fresh and delicious!

Ingredients

• 8 oz whole-wheat penne pasta
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• Juice and zest of 1 large lemon
• 4 cups chopped fresh spinach
• 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, divided

Directions

1. Cook the Pasta
   • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Sear the Chicken
   • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium‑high heat. Add chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until just cooked through.
3. Add Garlic & Sauce
   • Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant. Add white wine, lemon juice, and zest. Bring to a simmer for 2–3 minutes.
4. Combine & Wilt
   • Remove skillet from heat. Stir in spinach and cooked pasta. Cover and let stand 2–3 minutes until spinach wilts.
5. Serve
   • Divide among 4 plates and sprinkle each with 1 tablespoon Parmesan. Serve immediately.

🔢 Calorie Count (Per Serving — Serves 4)

• Calories: ~365
• Protein: 29g
• Carbs: 38g
• Fat: 11g
• Sugar: 3g

📊 Nutritional Facts (Per Serving)

\*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

 

 

👩‍🍳 Cooking Tips for Pasta Perfection

• Don’t overcook the pasta — al dente is key so it holds up in the sauce.
• Wine swap — if you don’t cook with wine, use chicken broth with a splash of extra lemon juice.
• Zest first — it’s easier to zest a whole lemon than one you’ve already juiced.
• Spinach last — adding it off‑heat keeps it bright green.
• Parmesan power — grate it fresh for the best melt and flavor.

💬 Reader prompt: Do you measure garlic with your heart, or do you actually count cloves?

🎨 Recipe Variations

• Creamy Dreamy — stir in ¼ cup light cream or half‑and‑half before adding spinach.
• Veggie Boost — add cherry tomatoes, zucchini, or asparagus.
• Protein Swap — try shrimp or salmon instead of chicken.
• Herb Heaven — toss in fresh basil or parsley before serving.
• Spicy Kick — add red pepper flakes with the garlic.

🧒 Kid Tips

• Use smaller pasta shapes like rotini for easier bites.
• Skip the wine and up the broth for a milder flavor.
• Let kids sprinkle their own Parmesan — instant kitchen fun.
• Serve with garlic bread for dipping (because carbs on carbs is a love language).

💬 Reader prompt: Parents — do your kids pick out the spinach, or do they eat it without a fuss?

🛒 Grocery Hacks

• Whole‑wheat pasta — buy in bulk when it’s on sale; it stores forever.
• Chicken breast — trim and cube before freezing for faster weeknight prep.
• Spinach — buy pre‑washed to save time.
• Lemons — store in the fridge to keep them fresh longer.
• Parmesan — wedges are cheaper per ounce and last longer than pre‑grated.

📣 Reader’s Challenge: #LemonLovePasta

Here’s your mission:

1. Make this Lemon Chicken Spinach Penne.
2. Put your own spin on it — maybe a new veggie, a different pasta shape, or a sprinkle of toasted breadcrumbs.
3. Snap a photo and post with #LemonLovePasta.
4. I’ll feature my favorites in an upcoming Friday Favorites post!

♻️ Leftover Remix

• Pasta Salad — toss cold leftovers with extra lemon juice and olive oil.
• Soup Starter — add to chicken broth with extra veggies for a quick soup.
• Wrap It Up — stuff into a tortilla with extra spinach for a pasta wrap.
• Egg Bake — mix with beaten eggs and bake for a frittata.
• Cheesy Bake — top with mozzarella and bake until bubbly.

💭 Final Thoughts

This pasta is proof that healthy and quick can still feel indulgent. It’s bright, fresh, and satisfying without being heavy — the kind of dinner that makes you feel good after eating it. Plus, it’s endlessly adaptable, so you can make it your own every time.

💬 Reader prompt: If you could only have one pasta sauce forever — tomato, cream, or lemon‑based — which would you choose?

Some dinners are just fuel. This Lemon Chicken Spinach Penne? It’s a mood‑booster in a bowl. It’s the kind of meal that makes you slow down for a second, twirl your fork, and savor the bright, garlicky, lemony goodness. It’s easy enough for a Tuesday night, but pretty enough to serve to guests without breaking a sweat.

I love that it’s a one‑pan wonder (plus the pasta pot) — minimal dishes, maximum flavor. And it’s forgiving — swap the protein, change the greens, tweak the sauce, and it still works beautifully.

So here’s my challenge: make it, share it, and tag your creations with #LemonLovePasta so we can all drool together, swap ideas, and maybe even inspire the next great pasta trend. Because food is better when it’s shared — and this one is too good to keep to yourself.

Here’s to bright flavors, easy wins, and the kind of dinners that make you smile before the first bite. 🍋💛

Did you try our Lemon Parmesan Chicken Pasta? What did you think? Did you love it? We would love to hear from you! Please leave us a comment below or tag us on Instagram!

 

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We also tried to make it a little more healthy too.