Name: Healthy Chicken and Veggie Pasta
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 ounces whole wheat penne or rotini pasta; 1 tbsp olive oil (for cooking chicken); 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes; 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning; ½ tsp garlic powder; ¼ tsp sea salt; ¼ tsp black pepper; 1 tbsp olive oil (for sautéing vegetables); 1 medium red bell pepper, cored and chopped; 1 medium yellow bell pepper, cored and chopped; 1 cup broccoli florets, small; ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved; ½ cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth); ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional); 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped; 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped; 1 tsp lemon zest; 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice; Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the whole wheat pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining. Drain and set aside.
2
While pasta cooks, pat cubed chicken dry. In a bowl, toss chicken with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
3
Add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil to the same skillet. Add bell peppers and broccoli. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until tender-crisp. Stir in cherry tomatoes and minced garlic, cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
4
Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits. Bring to a simmer. Stir in Parmesan (if using), parsley, basil, lemon zest, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes (if desired). Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5
Return cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet. Add fresh spinach and toss until spinach wilts and all ingredients are evenly coated. If sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water. Serve immediately.

💡 Notes

For a dairy-free option, omit Parmesan or use nutritional yeast. Feel free to customize vegetables with what you have on hand, such as zucchini, mushrooms, or asparagus. This dish reheats well for meal prep.

Healthy Chicken and Veggie Pasta: Quick & Easy Weeknight Dinner

Healthy Chicken and Veggie Pasta

📝 Ingredients

👩‍🍳 Instructions

💡 Notes

🥗 Nutrition (per serving)

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