Description
Delightful chicken spaghetti brings comfort and flavor straight from Southern kitchens. Creamy cheese, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked pasta create a hearty meal you’ll savor with pure satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) chicken breast, thinly sliced
- 8 oz (226 g) burrata cheese
- 8 oz (226 g) spaghetti
- 10 oz (283 g) cherry or grape tomatoes, sliced in half
- ½ lemon (Meyer lemon preferred), thinly sliced
- ½ cup (25 g) fresh basil, chopped
- 7 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tbsps (56 g) butter
- 4 tbsps (60 ml) olive oil
- ⅓ cup (45 g) pine nuts, lightly toasted
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 tsps smoked paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Tomatoes: Toss cherry tomatoes with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper, then roast at 400°F (204°C) for 18-22 minutes until tender and caramelized around edges.
- Season and Cook Chicken: Coat chicken breasts with salt, smoked paprika, and Italian herbs, then sear in a skillet over medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Rest for 3-4 minutes and slice thinly.
- Create Sauce Base: In the same skillet, melt butter and quickly sauté lemon slices and garlic for 1-2 minutes, creating a fragrant foundation for the pasta.
- Cook and Dress Pasta: Boil spaghetti in salted water until al dente, then toss with lemon-garlic butter sauce, using reserved pasta water to achieve a silky texture.
- Plate and Garnish: Arrange spaghetti on plates, top with sliced chicken, roasted tomatoes, and torn burrata. Finish with fresh basil leaves and toasted pine nuts for an elegant, flavor-packed presentation.
Notes
- Tomato Roasting Tip: Space cherry tomatoes evenly to ensure proper caramelization and prevent steaming, which can make them soggy.
- Chicken Seasoning Strategy: Pat chicken dry before adding spices to help create a perfect golden-brown crust and lock in moisture.
- Pasta Water Magic: Save a cup of starchy pasta water to help create a silky, clingy sauce that perfectly coats the spaghetti.
- Temperature Control: Use a meat thermometer to precisely check chicken’s internal temperature, preventing overcooking and ensuring juicy meat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 430mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 95mg