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Creamy Chicken Pasta with Veggies

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A quick and easy creamy chicken pasta with vibrant veggies and a luscious sauce, perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 450 g), cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 medium bell pepper, diced (any color)
  • 1 cup fresh spinach leaves, roughly chopped
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 ounces (225 g) pasta (penne or rotini recommended)
  • 1 cup chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter version)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or dried basil (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of pasta and cook according to package instructions (9-11 minutes) until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, cook for 5-7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook 2-3 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and diced bell pepper, cook 3-4 minutes until tender but vibrant.
  4. Pour in 1 cup chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Add 1 cup heavy cream and stir well. Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time if sauce is too thick.
  6. Return cooked chicken to skillet, add drained pasta and chopped spinach. Toss gently to coat and wilt spinach. Cook 2 more minutes to heat through.
  7. Remove from heat and serve immediately. Garnish with extra Parmesan or parsley if desired.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before cooking for better browning. Simmer sauce gently to avoid curdling. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Use freshly grated Parmesan for best texture. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy chicken pasta, chicken pasta with veggies, easy dinner, weeknight meal, creamy pasta recipe, family dinner, one-pan pasta

Find it online: https://cooltastes.com/creamy-chicken-pasta-with-veggies-recipe-easy-homemade-dinner-idea/