Filled with chicken, zucchini, tomatoes, and herbs, this 30-minute chicken and vegetable pasta is a simple, quick, and easy meal the whole family will enjoy. Plus, it makes great leftovers too!
If you’re looking for a simple summer dinner idea, look no further than this pasta recipe. Essentially a lightened version of a pasta primavera, this chicken and veggie pasta is a simple meal that is full of fiber and protein.
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And, the best part is, it’s super versatile. Once you’ve got the basics down you can swap the type of pasta and vegetables for any you like and still easily create a nutritious and delicious meal. This chicken and vegetable pasta is one of those go-to recipes that you can easily adapt and mix and match to get dinner on the table in a pinch.
INGREDIENTS FOR CHICKEN AND VEGETABLE PASTA
You’ll need the following ingredients you’ll need to make this chicken and veggie pasta:
- Pasta: The recipe calls for penne pasta, but you can use any medium-cut pasta you like.
- Chicken Breasts: To add some protein to the pasta, chicken thighs will also work well.
- Zucchini: A mixture of yellow and green zucchini for color and fiber. If you’re not a fan of zucchini, broccoli, asparagus, or green peas would also work well.
- Cherry Tomatoes: To add a pop of flavor and some color, grape tomatoes also work well.
- Red Onion: To add a depth of flavor and additional color.
- Garlic: To add flavor and fragrance. Although fresh garlic works best, you can use a teaspoon of garlic powder if needed.
- Herbs: A mixture of dried parsley, basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes to season the dish and add a tiny hint of spice.
- Parmesan Cheese: To add some healthy fats and flavor the pasta. Be sure to use freshly grated parmesan cheese, pre-grated parmesan cheese will not add the same flavor or texture.
In addition to the above, you’ll also need some olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
Dietary Adaptions
To Make it Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free penne pasta.
To Make it Dairy-Free: Omit the parmesan cheese.
HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN AND VEGETABLE PASTA
This chicken and veggie pasta is super easy to make and can be made in less than 30 minutes. Here’s what you’ll do:
- Cook the pasta. Begin by cooking the penne in a pot of well-salted water.
- Cook the chicken. Add the sliced chicken to a large pan and cook until lightly browned and season with herbs.
- Cook the vegetables. Sauté the red onion, zucchini, and garlic until tender, then add cherry tomatoes.
- Combine the chicken, vegetables, and pasta. Once the pasta is cooked, combine the cooked chicken, pasta, and vegetables in a pan.
- Add the cheese. Sprinkle the pasta mixture with the grated parmesan cheese and toss to coat.
- Serve and enjoy!
You can find the detailed ingredients list and instructions in the recipe card below.
Red’s Nutrition Tip
The recipe calls for regular pasta, made with semolina flour, in my recipes, however, you can certainly use whole wheat pasta if you prefer. Using whole wheat pasta is a simple way to add more fiber to any pasta recipe.
FAQS
While pasta and chicken are not a traditional Italian combination, they are a tasty combination. Chicken is a good source of protein and pasta is a good source of complex carbohydrates, together they can create a healthy and balanced meal.
If adding vegetables to a pasta dish, it is best to cook them before. Vegetables can be grilled, sautéed, steamed, braised, or blanched before adding them to pasta.
Yes, however, boiling vegetables with your pasta won’t create a very nice texture or flavor. Pasta takes much longer to cook than most vegetables, therefore, by boiling them together you’d end up with mushy vegetables. Vegetables should be cooked separately from pasta or added in the final minutes of the pasta cooking process for a quick blanch.
Storage + Reheating
To Store: Allow the pasta to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days.
To Freeze: Once cooled, transfer the pasta to an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To Reheat: Allow the pasta to thaw completely before reheating. To reheat the pasta on the stovetop, place the pasta in a pan on medium heat with 1-2 tablespoons of water, stirring gently, until the water has been absorbed and the pasta is warmed through. To reheat the pasta in the microwave, place the pasta in a microwave-safe container with 1-2 tablespoons of water and reheat for 2-3 minutes, stirring every minute or so, until the water has been absorbed and the pasta is warmed through.