Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.

Sear the chicken: While pasta cooks, season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.

Make the sauce: Lower heat to medium. In the same pan, add a touch more oil if needed, then sauté garlic for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in ricotta, Parmesan, lemon zest, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes. Add a splash of pasta water to help loosen the sauce.

Combine: Return cooked chicken to the pan. Add pasta and toss to coat everything in the creamy sauce. Add more pasta water as needed to reach your desired consistency.

Finish & serve: Taste and adjust seasoning. Sprinkle with fresh herbs and an extra dusting of Parmesan. Serve immediately!