15-Minute Cheesy Chicken Veggie Pasta โ ๐ฅฆ๐ฅ๐ง EASY and ready in minutes! The cheesy pasta is COMFORT food while all the veggies add a HEALTHIER twist! Family-friendly and perfect for busy weeknights!
Table of Contents
Quick and Easy Chicken Veggie Pasta
This time of year, I know weโre all trying to eat more veggies.
But itโs cold outside and pasta tastes so good, especially when thereโs melted cheese coating every bite.
Between the broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, green onions, and baby spinach, there are plenty of veggies so you donโt have to feel guilty about eating cheesy pasta when youโre trying to stick to those resolutions.
The chicken vegetable pasta recipe takes just 15 minutes to cook and can be enjoyed on its own or with a simple green side salad.
Chicken and Veggie Pasta Ingredients
This is a very flexible recipe that can be made using nearly any veggie you have on hand! However, for this exact recipe youโll need the following:
- Penne pasta
- Broccoli and / or cauliflower florets
- Olive oil
- Chicken breasts
- Carrots
- Green onions
- Spinach
- Salt and pepper
- Shredded mozzarella
- Shredded Parmesan โ Grated parmesan cheese also works. For the best taste and texture, buy a block of cheese, and grate it yourself
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
How to Make Chicken and Veggie Pasta
This chicken with pasta and veggies dish is as simple as boiling pasta and adding broccoli and cauliflower florets for a few minutes at the end! From start to finish, itโs ready to eat in less than 30 minutes. Here are the basic recipe steps:
- Boil the pasta to al dente according to the package directions. Add the broccoli and cauliflower florets in the last 3 minutes of cooking. Drain the pasta water, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- Return the pasta and veggies to the pot. Then, cook the chicken in olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the carrots, onions, salt, and peppers, and cook until the chicken cooks through and the veggies soften. Stir and flip intermittently to ensure even cooking. Then, add the garlic, and cook until fragrant.
- Add the chicken and carrot mixture to the large pot with the cooked pasta and veggies.
- Add the spinach, cheeses, and stir to melt the cheese and wilt the spinach. Season to taste, and enjoy!
What to Serve with Cheesy Chicken Veggie Pasta
Ingredient Swaps to Try
I use recipes like this chicken vegetable pasta when I am trying to clean out my pantry and fridge. This pasta is very flexible and forgiving! Feel free to mix and match whatever you have on hand to make this pasta dish your own.
Some optional tweaks and substitutions include:
- Rather than penne pasta, use rotini, ziti, small shells, wheels. Healthy bonus points if you use whole-wheat pasta variations
- Use a white or yellow onion rather than green
- Swap the baby spinach for kale
- Add fresh herbs like fresh basil or cilantro if you have it on hand
- Omit the cheese altogether, use only one kind, or use less of both the mozzarella and the Parmesan
- Add lemon zest, lemon pepper seasoning, or a spritz of fresh lemon juice. (If that sounds good to you, try Lemon Pepper Basil Chicken and Pasta)
- Up the veggie quotient by adding cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, zucchini, or yellow squash
- Add more plant-based protein with edamame, peas, or garbanzo beans
- Add more flavor with a dash of red pepper flakes, garlic powder, or onion powder
Recipe FAQs
How long do leftovers last?
Once cool, you can transfer leftovers to an airtight container, and store them in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a pot over medium heat. Add a splash of water or broth as needed to freshen it back up.
Can I freeze chicken vegetable pasta?
Yes! This chicken veggie pasta is a great freezer meal, making it perfect for meal prep. Let it cool completely, transfer it to a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 4 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight to serve.
Can I make this chicken and vegetable pasta gluten-free?
I havenโt tested it but donโt see why not. Use your favorite gluten-free pasta, and cook just to or under al dente. I would probably cook just under as gluten-free pasta tends to be on the mushier side, and the pasta will continue to cook when combining the dish
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Cheesy Chicken Veggie Pasta
Equipment
- 1 Large Pot
Ingredients
- 8 ounces penne pasta, ziti, rigatoni, rotini, wheels, small shells, etc. may be substituted
- one 12-ounce package broccoli and cauliflower florets, or all broccoli or all cauliflower
- 3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, diced into bite-sized pieces
- 1 ยฝ cups shredded carrots, loosely measured
- 4 to 5 green onions, thinly sliced (about 1/3 to 1/2 cup)
- 3 to 5 cloved garlic, finely minced or pressed
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- 1 ยฝ to 2 cups fresh baby spinach leaves, loosely measured
- 1 to 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ยผ cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Boil pasta according to package directions in salted water in a very large skillet or pot. In the final 2 to 3 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli and cauliflower florets. Drain but reserve 1/2 cup pasta water in case you need it in step 6.
- Return the pasta and vegetables to the cooking pot; set aside.
- To a large skillet, add the olive oil, chicken, and cook for about 3 minutes.
- Add the carrots, onions, salt, pepper, and cook for about 5 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and vegetables have softened; stir and flip intermittently to ensure even cooking.
- Add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute, or until fragrant; stir nearly constantly.
- Add the chicken and carrot mixture to the large pot with the cooked pasta, broccoli, and cauliflower.
- Add the spinach, cheeses, and stir until cheese has all melted and spinach has wilted. Taste and check for seasoning balance and if necessary, add additional salt and/or pepper. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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great
Great suggestions! Thank you, Averie!
Is there a way to delete the ads that show up next to your recipes when I print them? I understand why they are there on your web site and they pay the bills, but I really would rather not print them when I print up your recipe. On most sites thereโs an X in the corner whereby you can delete them. Donโt want to sound โpickyโ, but just wondering.
Thanks,
Peg
As of now, no. But just copy/paste the recipe in an email to yourself and print that. Problem solved.
Looks easy and delishโgotta give this a try!
This is such a perfect weeknight meal! We totally need to add this to our menu for this week!
Paige
https://thehappyflammily.com
Hi Averie! Thank you for the recipe. I am going to make it for dinner. I wanted to tell you though, that no matter what I try, I cannot print your recipe without printing the ads that keep popping up and I donโt want to print them. Just thought Iโd let you know. Thank you, anyway. Dezi
Ok thank you for letting me know. I will have my developers look into it. Hope you enjoy the pasta for dinner!
Good post. Thanks for all the options.
Youโre welcome!