Mediterranean Diet Spaghetti with Chicken and Garlic Butter Sauce
Elevate your weeknight dinner game with this Mediterranean Diet Spaghetti with Chicken and Garlic Butter Sauce, a vibrant and flavorful dish that's as nourishing as it is delicious. Featuring wholesome whole grain spaghetti, tender, seasoned chicken breast, and a velvety garlic butter sauce, this recipe brims with Mediterranean flair thanks to fresh spinach, juicy cherry tomatoes, fragrant oregano, and a hint of zesty lemon. Perfectly balanced and light yet indulgent, it comes together in just 40 minutes, making it ideal for busy evenings. Garnish with fresh parsley and a sprinkling of parmesan cheese for a classic finish, and serve it warm for a crowd-pleasing, healthy meal that tastes like an Italian escape. Keywords: Mediterranean Diet Spaghetti, Garlic Butter Sauce, Chicken Pasta Recipe, Healthy Spaghetti Dish, Mediterranean Dinner Recipes.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces whole grain spaghetti
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic cloves
- 4 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
- 0.25 cup grated parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the whole grain spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
While the pasta is cooking, pat the chicken breast dry and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Season with a pinch of sea salt, black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano.
Heat 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium-low and add 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter along with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once melted, add the minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
Add the cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until they start to soften and release their juices. Stir in the spinach and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until wilted.
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained spaghetti, lemon juice, lemon zest, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano. Toss everything together to combine. If the sauce appears dry, add a bit of the reserved pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is achieved.
Taste and adjust seasoning with sea salt and black pepper if needed. Remove from heat and stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter for added richness.
Garnish with fresh parsley and grated parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve warm and enjoy your Mediterranean Diet Spaghetti with Chicken and Garlic Butter Sauce!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2072 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 101.2 g | 130% | |
| Saturated Fat | 41.0 g | 205% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 526 mg | 175% | |
| Sodium | 3667 mg | 159% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 115.3 g | 42% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 22.2 g | 79% | |
| Total Sugars | 12.0 g | ||
| Protein | 187.9 g | 376% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.6 mcg | 3% | |
| Calcium | 926 mg | 71% | |
| Iron | 13.8 mg | 77% | |
| Potassium | 3037 mg | 65% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
