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Home By Meal

Lemon Cauliflower Pasta with Grilled Chicken

★★★★★ 6 Reviews Recipe Print
By: Erin9/12/22

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Lemon Cauliflower Pasta with Chicken
Lemon Cauliflower Pasta with Chicken

In this dinner recipe, pasta gets a tangy flavor makeover with the addition of a creamy lemon sauce. Lemon Cauliflower Pasta with Grilled Chicken yields 10 servings and is delicious, filling, and perfect for the whole family!

lemon cauliflower pasta with chicken

Delicious and hearty cauliflower lemon pasta

There’s something about adding lemon to a dish that simply creates an extra layer. And when we’re adding it to pasta, it just seems extra delicious!

This lemon cauliflower pasta with grilled chicken is a delicious and tangy recipe made with spaghetti noodles coated in a deliciously zesty cauliflower sauce. To complete the meal, we add grilled chicken to the top!

Lemon chicken pasta yields 10 servings, making it great for a crowd or meal prep for two!

lemon cauliflower pasta with chicken

Ingredients in lemon cauliflower pasta with grilled chicken

This lemon cauliflower pasta recipe is made in two parts: the cauliflower sauce and the grilled chicken! Of course, it all comes together with the addition of spaghetti noodles.

Pasta

  • Pasta: Any pasta will work in the amount of 1 16oz box. I prefer to use regular spaghetti or long noodles.

Lemon Cauliflower Sauce

  • Butter: First up for the sauce is 2 tbsp of butter.
  • Garlic: Add flavor by including 4 cloves of minced garlic.
  • Cauliflower: For the veggie portion, use 1 large head of cauliflower. Break it into florets before adding to the recipe.
  • Water: 1 cup of water will be necessary to get the saucy consistency.
  • Salt & pepper: Add additional seasonings with 1 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp of pepper.
  • Lemon: Finish off the sauce by adding the juice of 1 large lemon.

Lemon Grilled Chicken

  • Chicken breasts: 10 servings of this delicious pasta calls for 5-6 thinly sliced chicken breasts. I like to buy them thinly sliced, but regular slices will also work! Either butterfly thicker pieces or pound them down.
  • Lemons: Begin adding flavor to the chicken by using the juice of 2 lemons.
  • Olive oil: Next, you will need 1/3 cup of olive oil.
  • Garlic: Add flavor with 3 cloves of minced garlic.
  • Spices: Then, include spices by using the following: 1 tsp of oregano, 1/2 tsp of salt, and 1/2 tsp of pepper.
  • To garnish: Garnish with fresh parsley!
ingredients for lemon cauliflower pasta with chicken
lemon cauliflower pasta with chicken

Tools needed to create this recipe

This grilled chicken pasta recipe comes together with the use of a few key kitchen tools. Here is a full list:

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Stirring utensil
  • Saucepot
  • Strainer
  • Large dutch oven or saucepan
  • Grill
  • Tongs or another grill utensil
  • Blender
  • Cutting board
  • Knife

For measuring, you will need the following sized measuring cups: 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, 1 tbsp, 1/3 cup, and 1 cup.

How to make lemon cauliflower pasta with grilled chicken

Making lemon cauliflower pasta is easy! We’ll start by preparing the chicken marinade before boiling the pasta, making the sauce, and finally, grilling the chicken.

To begin, prepare the chicken portion of the recipe by mixing the lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Then, add the chicken to the bowl and let marinate for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.

Prepare the pasta according to the directions on the box. Once cooked, drain and set aside.

For the cauliflower sauce, heat a large dutch oven or saucepan over high heat. Add the butter and garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes or until very fragrant.

Next, add the cauliflower and water to the saucepan and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and let simmer for 12-15 minutes or until the cauliflower is fork-tender.

Set the grill to medium-high and spray with nonstick spray.

Place the chicken on the grill and cook for about 4 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Note, because the chicken is thin, the pieces will cook very fast. Once cooked, remove from the grill and let rest.

Once the cauliflower is cooked, add the ingredients to a blender followed by the juice of one lemon. Blend until completely smooth.

Add the pasta to the saucepan and pour the cauliflower sauce on top. Mix until well combined.

Slice the chicken into strips and add to the pasta. Top with fresh parsley, and enjoy!

lemon cauliflower pasta with chicken
lemon cauliflower pasta with chicken

Can you make this without chicken?

You certainly can! The lemon cauliflower sauce makes a delicious pasta sauce whether you’re including chicken or not. If you’d prefer to omit the meat, simply pair the pasta and sauce with a side of something green for a complete and more filling meal!

Storing leftovers

Lemon cauliflower pasta with grilled chicken is a great make-ahead meal. Simply store leftovers in airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 3 days. It is best to store each part of the recipe (the noodles, the sauce, and the chicken) separately.

If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!

In the mood to keep the grill out this week? Here are some more delicious dinners that come together with the use of the grill!

  • Grilled Greek Chicken Salad
  • Grilled Steak and Peach Salad
  • Honey BBQ Grilled Chicken Skewers
  • Grilled BBQ Shrimp Salad

Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by The Mindful Hapa

lemon cauliflower pasta with chicken
lemon cauliflower pasta with chicken
★★★★★ 5 from 6 reviews

Lemon Cauliflower Pasta with Grilled Chicken

In this dinner recipe, pasta gets a tangy flavor makeover with the addition of a creamy lemon sauce. Lemon Cauliflower Pasta with Grilled Chicken yields 10 servings and is delicious, filling, and perfect for the whole family!

Prep: 30Cook: 30Total: 1 hour
Yield 10 servings 1x
Print Pin it Rate

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 1 16oz box pasta, I prefer spaghetti or a long noodle

Lemon Cauliflower Sauce

  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large head cauliflower, broken into florets
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1 large lemon, juiced

Lemon Grilled Chicken

  • 5–6 thinly sliced chicken breasts (I buy them thinly sliced but you can butterfly thicker ones or pound down)
  • 2 lemons, juiced
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare chicken by mixing all lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add chicken breasts to bowl and let marinade for 30 minutes in fridge.
  2. Prepare pasta according to directions on box. Drain and set aside.
  3. For the cauliflower sauce, heat a large dutch oven or sauce pan over high heat. Add butter and garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until very fragrant.
  4. Add cauliflower and water to saucepan with butter and garlic and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium and let simmer 12-15 minutes or until cauliflower is fork tender.
  5. While cauliflower is boiling, turn on grill to medium-high heat to cook chicken. Spray grill with nonstick spray. Because the breasts are so thin, they will cook very fast.
  6. Place chicken on grill and cook about 4 minutes on each side, or until internal temperature reaches 165F. Take chicken off grill and let rest.
  7. Once cauliflower is cooked, add all ingredients to a blender and then add the juice of one lemon. Blend until completely smooth.
  8. Add pasta to sauce pan, then pour the cauliflower sauce on top. Mix until well combined.
  9. Slice up chicken in strips and add to pasta, then top with fresh parsley! Enjoy!
Author: ErinCategory: pasta, dinner, lunch, meal prep, entree, cauliflowerMethod: stovetopCuisine: Italian
lemon cauliflower pasta with chicken

Did you make this?

Leave a comment below and tag @erinliveswhole on social media!

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There may be affiliate links in this post! By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat 🙂

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chocolate chip cookies
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Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. Elizabeth says

    Posted on 11/10 at 10:05 am

    This was a great weeknight option – quick to make with few ingredients required. Love that it feels super indulgent with a serving of veggies instead of dairy.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/11 at 7:10 pm

      Hi Elizabeth, so glad you loved it!!

      Reply
  2. Erin Chang says

    Posted on 10/23 at 6:31 pm

    This was so refreshing, light, and flavorful! Looking at the ingredients, I wasn’t sure how much flavor it would have, but you have never steered us wrong! And wow! It was delicious!! It was different from anything I typically make and it was so nice to be able to eat pasta but not feel so heavy afterwards.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/24 at 6:40 pm

      Hi Erin, so so happy you loved it! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Emilee says

    Posted on 10/14 at 1:58 pm

    Holy yum!! This was so so good. I am already thinking about the leftovers. I will definitely be making this again 😋☺️

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/16 at 1:06 pm

      Hi Emilee, so so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  4. Casey says

    Posted on 9/15 at 4:20 pm

    The lemon and cauliflower were so perfectly complimentary of each other! Each bite was bursting with flavor!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 9/16 at 11:03 am

      Hi Casey, so happy you loved it so much! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Ally says

    Posted on 9/13 at 8:12 pm

    Thank you for this amazing recipe!! Made it tonight and mixed some leftover grilled salmon into the the pasta for the protein. Delicious and paired perfectly with a Wegmans Chardonnay!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 9/14 at 12:01 pm

      Hi Ally, so happy you loved it so much and yum! Cheers!

      Reply
  6. MT says

    Posted on 9/13 at 9:46 am

    Do you have a good substitute for butter for this dish? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 9/14 at 12:03 pm

      Hi, any neutral oil will work! Let me know how it comes out for you.

      Reply
  7. Meaghan says

    Posted on 9/13 at 9:43 am

    So delicious! I am not a fan of alfredo and this was just so yummy! Lots of garlic, butter and lemon flavor. Topped with some parm cheese and it was delicious. Also the flavor on the chicken from the marinade was to die for!!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 9/13 at 4:30 pm

      Hi Meaghan, so happy you enjoyed it so much! 🙂

      Reply

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I’m Erin. Creator of Erin Lives Whole, a food blog with delicious and easy healthy recipes that will leave you feeling good. We’ve got everything from wholesome baked goods to comforting savory dishes. I can’t wait to see what you whip up! Read More...

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