Description
Spirited Mediterranean flavors dance through this lemon feta chicken spaghetti recipe, blending tangy cheese with zesty citrus notes. Creamy pasta promises a quick weeknight dinner that brings Mediterranean sunshine directly to dinner tables.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 chicken cutlets
- 8 oz (226 g) thin spaghetti (like Barilla whole grain)
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour (plus more if needed)
- ¼ cup minced garlic
- 1 can (14 oz/414 ml) chicken broth
- ¼ cup white wine (optional)
- ¼ cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- Sea or kosher salt
- Fresh black pepper
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Preparation: Season chicken with salt and pepper, then lightly coat with flour, shaking off excess.
- Searing: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium temperature. Cook chicken until golden and thoroughly done, about 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer to a holding plate and cover with foil.
- Aromatics: In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic with a touch of salt until fragrant and slightly golden, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Liquid Development: Pour chicken broth and white wine into the skillet. Simmer and reduce sauce for 7-8 minutes until it thickens slightly, stirring intermittently.
- Flavor Enhancement: Remove skillet from heat and incorporate fresh lemon juice. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Pasta Preparation: Cook spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain pasta, reserving some cooking liquid for sauce consistency.
- Assembly: Combine pasta with prepared sauce, folding in Parmesan cheese. Add reserved pasta water to create a smooth, creamy texture.
- Finishing: Slice chicken into strips and arrange over sauced spaghetti. Garnish with crumbled feta cheese and chopped parsley. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Flour Coating Tip: Shake off excess flour to prevent a heavy, pasty texture on chicken and ensure a light, crispy exterior.
- Chicken Cooking Technique: Use medium heat to achieve a golden-brown crust without burning, ensuring even cooking and locking in moisture.
- Sauce Consistency Hack: Reduce sauce slowly to concentrate flavors and create a silky, clingy texture that perfectly coats pasta.
- Pasta Water Magic: Reserve starchy pasta water as a secret weapon to help sauce adhere to noodles and create a creamy, luxurious finish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg