If you’re craving a meal that bursts with fresh flavors, creamy indulgence, and vibrant veggies, you’ve got to try this Chicken Pasta Primavera Recipe. It’s a joyous celebration of tender chicken, colorful garden vegetables, and luscious cream sauce all tossed lovingly with perfectly cooked pasta. Whether you need a weekday dinner that feels special or a dish to impress friends without stress, this recipe hits every note with ease and elegance.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Chicken Pasta Primavera Recipe lies in its simple, fresh ingredients that come together to create a symphony of taste, texture, and color. From buttery cream to crisp veggies and juicy chicken, each component plays an essential role in bringing this dish to life.
- Unsalted butter: Provides a rich, creamy base for the sauce that coats every bite.
- Garlic: Adds a fragrant, savory punch to elevate the cream sauce.
- Heavy cream: Creates the luscious, velvety texture that makes this dish feel so indulgent.
- Parmesan cheese: Brings a nutty, salty depth that perfectly balances the cream.
- Ground black pepper: Adds subtle heat and complexity throughout the dish.
- Olive oil: Used to sear the chicken and sauté the vegetables, imparting a fruity richness.
- Chicken breast: The lean protein that makes the dish hearty and satisfying.
- Italian seasoning: A fragrant herb blend that seasons the chicken with classic Mediterranean flair.
- Salt: Essential for enhancing every element’s natural flavor.
- Fresh vegetables: A vibrant mix like asparagus, zucchini, bell peppers, broccoli, red onion, peas, and cherry tomatoes injects crunch, sweetness, and freshness.
- Pasta: The canvas for the sauce and all those wonderful ingredients to come together.
How to Make Chicken Pasta Primavera Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Cream Sauce
Start by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook just until fragrant, about one minute—that inviting aroma is your cue. Pour in the heavy cream and sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese, whisking constantly to create a silky, smooth sauce without lumps. This creamy mixture will coat your pasta beautifully while tying all your flavors together.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Next, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high. Add your diced chicken breast and immediately season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir frequently and cook until the chicken is cooked through and lightly browned, usually about four minutes. Removing the chicken at this point keeps it tender and juicy, ready to mingle with your veggies and pasta later.
Step 3: Boil the Pasta
While your chicken cooks, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions. Don’t forget to reserve some pasta water before draining—it can be a lifesaver for thinning the sauce or helping everything stick together when you toss all the ingredients.
Step 4: Sauté the Vegetables
In the same skillet you used for the chicken, warm a tablespoon of olive oil and add the chopped vegetables except the cherry tomatoes. Toss and cook until tender but still crisp, around five minutes. Throw in the cherry tomatoes during the last 30 seconds for a bright pop of color and sweetness. This method layers your flavors perfectly while keeping the veggies fresh and vibrant.
Step 5: Combine All Elements
Finally, add the drained pasta and cream sauce to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. If the sauce feels too thick, splash in some reserved pasta water to loosen it. Gently toss everything together so that every strand of pasta is luxuriously coated and the veggies and chicken are evenly distributed. Add the cooked chicken back in, toss once more, and remove from heat. This final step brings all the flavors into harmonious balance, ensuring your Chicken Pasta Primavera Recipe is a crave-worthy masterpiece.
How to Serve Chicken Pasta Primavera Recipe
Garnishes
For that extra special touch, sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan over the top, or add a sprinkle of chopped fresh basil or parsley for vibrant aroma and color. A light drizzle of olive oil or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice can also brighten up the dish right before serving, making every bite pop with freshness.
Side Dishes
Though your Chicken Pasta Primavera is a satisfying meal on its own, you can easily elevate the experience with simple sides like a crisp green salad, garlic bread for mopping up any leftover sauce, or a light roasted vegetable medley to complement the freshness of the pasta.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve this dish family-style in a big, colorful platter to showcase the kaleidoscope of veggies, or portion it into elegant shallow bowls for a more refined presentation. You can even twirl the pasta into neat nests for a polished look that’s perfect for dinner guests or a cozy weeknight treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers of this Chicken Pasta Primavera Recipe, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The flavors actually deepen after sitting for a day, but be sure to consume within 3 days for the best taste and freshness.
Freezing
This dish freezes beautifully. Just portion it out into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2 months. When planning to freeze, it’s best to undercook the pasta slightly so it doesn’t get mushy when reheated.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the pasta gently over low heat on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of cream, milk, or reserved pasta water to restore its creamy consistency. Stir frequently until heated through, ensuring you don’t overcook and dry out the chicken or vegetables.
FAQs
Can I use different vegetables in this Chicken Pasta Primavera Recipe?
Absolutely! The beauty of primavera is its flexibility. Feel free to swap in whatever fresh veggies you love or have on hand, like mushrooms, spinach, or green beans. Just adjust cooking times to keep everything tender-crisp.
Is this recipe suitable for gluten-free diets?
Yes! Simply substitute regular pasta with a gluten-free variety. The creamy sauce and other ingredients remain naturally gluten-free, making this dish easy to customize.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Definitely. Chicken thighs add a little extra juiciness and flavor. Just be sure to cut them into evenly sized pieces and cook until fully done for safety and taste.
What kind of pasta works best for this recipe?
Long, thin noodles like fettuccine or linguine work wonderfully because they hold the creamy sauce well. However, penne or farfalle are also excellent choices if you prefer short pasta shapes.
How can I make this dish lighter?
To lighten it up, you can substitute part of the heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk and reduce the butter slightly. Using less cheese or a part-skim version also reduces fat without sacrificing too much flavor.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken Pasta Primavera Recipe is one of those comforting dishes that feels both satisfying and fresh, perfect for sharing with loved ones or treating yourself to a delicious, colorful meal. Its blend of creamy, savory sauce with crisp vegetables and tender chicken never fails to bring smiles to the table. I truly hope you give it a go and make it a beloved favorite in your kitchen as well!
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Chicken Pasta Primavera Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
A delicious and creamy Chicken Pasta Primavera featuring tender chicken breast, fresh seasonal vegetables, and a rich Parmesan cream sauce. This recipe combines sautéed chicken and vegetables with pasta tossed in a smooth, garlicky cream sauce for a perfect weeknight meal ready in 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Cream Sauce
- 3 tablespoons (42 grams) unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Chicken
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
- 1 pound (450 grams) chicken breast, diced into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
- 3–4 cups fresh prepped vegetables (chopped asparagus, sliced zucchini, bell pepper, chopped broccoli, thinly sliced red onion, fresh or frozen peas, halved cherry tomatoes)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Pasta
- Pasta of choice (quantity as per package directions, typically 12-16 ounces)
- Salt for pasta water
Instructions
- Make the cream sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Pour in the heavy cream and add the shredded Parmesan cheese. Whisk continuously for 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Cook the chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken breast to the pan, immediately seasoning with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink inside, about 4 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve some pasta water before draining, which can later be used to thin the sauce if needed.
- Cook the vegetables: In the same skillet used for the chicken, heat another tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped vegetables (excluding the cherry tomatoes) and season with salt and pepper. Sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender but still crisp. Add the halved cherry tomatoes in the final 30 seconds of cooking to warm them through without losing their shape.
- Combine everything: Add the cooked pasta and prepared cream sauce to the skillet with the vegetables. If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water to reach the desired consistency. Gently toss to combine all ingredients. Next, stir in the cooked chicken, tossing once more to evenly distribute. Remove from heat and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use fresh vegetables for the best flavor, but frozen peas are a convenient alternative.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust the cream sauce consistency as needed.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Gluten-free pasta can be used to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
