Lemon Garlic Chilli Broccolini Pasta with Chicken

This is the kind of quick weeknight dinner I go to when I want something fresh, bright, and properly satisfying without much effort.

The pasta comes together fast with lemon, garlic, chilli, and broccolini, and it feels light but still filling. It’s easy to swap the chicken for beef, steak, sausage, or even prawns depending on what’s in the fridge.

It’s a great one for a busy night because it cooks quickly, tastes a little special, and still feels simple enough to repeat often.

Lemon garlic chilli broccolini pasta

Servings

2 servings

Quick Stats

25 mins • High Protein • Base: 2 servings

Ingredients

Method

  1. Cook the pasta properly:
    Boil the pasta in well-salted water until al dente. Reserve a mug of pasta water before draining.
  2. Blanch the broccolini:
    Cook the broccolini for 2–3 minutes until bright green and just tender. Drain and set aside.
  3. Cook the chicken:
    Sear the chicken breast in a hot pan with a little olive oil until golden and cooked through, then slice it.
  4. Build the flavour base:
    In the same pan, add garlic and chilli flakes with the remaining olive oil. Cook gently for 30–60 seconds so it stays fragrant.
  5. Add lemon and pasta water:
    Stir in the lemon zest and juice, then add a splash of reserved pasta water to bring everything together.
  6. Bring it all together:
    Add the pasta, broccolini, and chicken back to the pan. Toss until glossy, silky, and well coated.
  7. Finish and serve:
    Turn off the heat, add parmesan, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Key Nutrients & Benefits

High protein from chicken, vitamin C from lemon, and fibre from broccolini support energy, recovery, and a balanced meal.

Macros (approx per serve)

Smart Swaps & Variations