Description
This Chicken Primavera recipe is a delightful and creamy pasta dish featuring tender cubed chicken breast, fresh vegetables, and a rich Parmesan cream sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner that brings together comforting flavors and nutritious ingredients.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 ounces penne pasta (½ box)
- 4 cups water (for boiling pasta)
Chicken and Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 1½ cups heavy cream, room temperature
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (¼ stick)
Vegetables and Seasonings
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- ½ cup diced yellow onion
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 beefsteak tomatoes, diced
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente, about 9-11 minutes depending on the pasta package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Cook Chicken: While the pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Add the cubed chicken breasts and cook, stirring occasionally, until fully cooked and no longer pink inside, about 7-8 minutes.
- Add Cream and Veggies: Once the chicken is cooked through, reduce the heat to medium-low and add the heavy cream, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, unsalted butter, sliced carrots, diced onion, broccoli florets, kosher salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Simmer Sauce: Increase heat slightly and bring the sauce to a gentle boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the sauce to thicken and the vegetables to soften.
- Add Tomatoes: Stir in the diced beefsteak tomatoes and continue to simmer for an additional 5 minutes. The tomatoes will soften and meld into the sauce, enhancing its flavor and texture.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Serve the creamy chicken and vegetable sauce immediately over the cooked penne pasta for a warm, comforting meal.
Notes
- Ensure the heavy cream is at room temperature to help the sauce come together smoothly.
- Feel free to substitute the vegetables with your favorites such as bell peppers or zucchini.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, but the sauce may be less rich.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor; pre-grated Parmesan often contains anti-caking agents that may affect melting.
- Adjust seasoning to taste; additional salt and pepper may be needed depending on your preference and the saltiness of Parmesan.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
