Garlicky Penne with Chicken, Broccoli ‘n Grape Tomatoes

Admittedly, my hubbie and I don’t eat pasta very often. Although we love pasta, we find it’s not always the kindest to our waistlines. Recently, my hubbie had an uncommonly strong craving for pasta to which I just couldn’t say no!

 
Being I already had planned to make a chicken and veggie dish for dinner that night, I was able to create this recipe in minutes with just a few other simple ingredients I already had on hand. Colorful and delicious, this one dish pasta meal will absolutely delight all of you garlic lovers out there. Satisfying, yummy and FUN! Another great MPM Dinner in a Flash!

 

Garlicky Penne with Chicken, Broccoli ‘n Grape Tomatoes

Recipe Adapted from: Chicken and Broccoli Penne (back of a Mueller’s Whole Wheat Penne box)
 
Yield: about 4 servings

 
Click HERE for the full recipe, but in the nutshell, here is what you do:

 

Instructions

In a small bowl, combine chicken with 2 tablespoons olive oil, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and red pepper flakes.

 
In an 8-quart stockpot, bring about 6 quarts of water to a boil. Add 2 teaspoons kosher salt to the water. Add pasta; boil for 9 minutes. Taste; if too chewy, cook for up to another 2 minutes. Do not over-cook or pasta will become mushy. Drain; retaining 1-1/2 cups of the pasta cooking water.
 
In a large deep skillet, heat 2 teaspoons olive oil over medium-high setting. Sauté chicken for about 5 minutes or until almost cooked through.

 
Stir in broccoli; sauté for 1 minute.

 
Stir in drained penne and grape tomatoes; continue sautéing for 1 minute.

 
Add reserved pasta water; stirring for about 2 minutes or until most of the liquid has evaporated.

 
Add grated Parmesan cheese; stir to combine until cheese is melted.

 
Taste; stir in additional salt and red pepper flakes if desired.
 
Transfer to a large bowl or serving platter.

 
Serve with additional freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired .
 

Garlicky Penne with Chicken, Broccoli ‘n Grape Tomatoes

Admittedly, my hubbie and I don’t eat pasta very often. Although we love pasta, we find it’s not always the kindest to our waistlines. Recently, my hubbie had an uncommonly strong craving for pasta to which I just couldn’t say no! Being I already had planned to make a chicken and veggie dish for dinner that night, I was able to create this recipe in minutes with just a few other simple ingredients I already had on hand. Colorful and delicious, this one dish pasta meal will absolutely delight all of you garlic lovers out there. Satisfying, yummy and FUN! Another great MPM Dinner in a Flash!

Recipe Adapted from: Chicken and Broccoli Penne (back of a Mueller’s Whole Wheat Penne box)

Yield: about 4 servings
Author: Linda Shapiro, © Meal Planning Maven

Ingredients

  • 1 pound boneless chicken breast cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 5 cloves garlic chopped (or as desired)
  • 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
  • Kosher salt as desired
  • Crushed red pepper flakes as desired
  • 1 13.25 ounce box whole wheat penne (or choose a gluten-free pasta)
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt for cooking pasta
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil additional
  • 3 cups broccoli florets and stems coarsely chopped and steamed just until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes; drained
  • 3 cups grape tomatoes I used a mixture of yellow and red
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Additional freshly grated Parmesan cheese as desired

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, combine chicken with 2 tablespoons olive oil, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and red pepper flakes.
  • In an 8-quart stockpot, bring about 6 quarts of water to a boil. Add 2 teaspoons kosher salt to the water.
  • Add pasta; boil for 9 minutes. Taste; if too chewy, cook for up to another 2 minutes. Do not over-cook or pasta will become mushy. Drain; retaining 1 1/2 cups of the pasta cooking water.
  • In a large deep skillet, heat 2 teaspoons olive oil over medium-high setting. Sauté chicken for about 5 minutes or until almost cooked through.
  • Stir in broccoli; sauté for 1 minute.
  • Stir in drained penne and grape tomatoes; continue sautéing for 1 minute.
  • Add reserved pasta water; stirring for about 2 minutes or until most of the liquid has evaporated.
  • Add grated Parmesan cheese; stir to combine until cheese is melted.
  • Taste; stir in additional salt and red pepper flakes if desired.
  • Transfer to a large bowl or serving platter.
  • Serve with additional freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

Make Ahead and Storage Tips: this dish is best served fresh. However, leftovers may be refrigerated for up to 2 days. Gently reheat over a low setting just until warmed through.

 

Notes

Play with other vegetables depending on what’s in season in your area. Zucchini, yellow squash, eggplant and Brussels sprouts would also be quite delicious in this dish.
 
Need a gluten-free pasta alternative? Look for Tinkyada or Lundberg brown rice penne and other products, available in some supermarkets and specialty food stores such as Whole Foods.
 
Other favorite pasta dishes to try are: Penne with Roasted Vegetables and Butternut Squash ‘n Spinach Lasagna, Veggie Pasta Bake and Tex-Mex Chili Jack Bake.
 

 

 

 

 

Coming to the Blog: Signature Gazpacho (reprised by request!)

 

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Linda Shapiro, Meal Planning Maven

27 Responses

  1. My mouth is literally watering. Linda, this dish is outstanding. The chicken, the veggies, the penne and the parm to pull it all together. Wow! :)
  2. Gosh this looks and sounds like such a great summertime dinner!
  3. The more garlic the better! This is my kind of pasta dish!!
  4. This is so something I would eat bowls of! I love the color, the garlic, the cheese... EVERYTHING!
  5. We admittedly eat way too much pasta in my house (I am Italian, what can I say) and this is exactly the kind of dish I love to whip together at the end of the day. Sounds wonderful and the colors are so inviting!
  6. This is such a colourful pasta dish. I love the simplicity, yet it must be bursting with great flavour.
  7. How healthy and delicious does this look Linda! YUM! Pinned and shared! I wish I could try this now!
  8. What a delicious pasta dish, Linda! I love all the fresh ingredients and flavours. Whole wheat pasta is such a wonderful thing - it still tastes like a treat but it's good for you too!
  9. You had me at "garlicky!" This looks delicious, thanks for sharing :-)
  10. This yumminess is right up my alley. Next time I make pasta (gluten free) this will be my choice. Love the broccoli. And the cheese! :)
  11. What a lovely feast for the eyes and belly and I love how quick it is to make.
  12. I would love to eat at your house all the time Linda! I love your food. This recipe sings to my soul. Pasta, veggies and chicken. That's my kind of dinner!
  13. We are completely loving the flavor profile of this chicken dish! Your use of penne puts it right at the top!
  14. I love these types of pasta with lots of veggies and chicken! This is a meal on its own! Yum!
  15. This looks like the perfect tasty meal to make during the week...I love the fresh tomatoes.
  16. I love your garlicky penne with chicken and broccoli, I call this dinner in a flash, it's so quick & easy to make. YUMMY!
  17. Oh wow, this just looks so delicious and really healthy too:-)
  18. We don't eat a lot of pasta dishes mainly because hubby is not a big pasta eater but I think he would love this recipe and I can't wait to try it.
  19. I want a big bowl, the colors are gorgeous and I can imagine how flavorful! Nettie
  20. What a wonderful and delicious toss...right up my alley! xo, Catherine
  21. I can almost taste all the garlic through the screen :)
  22. My kind of meal. Love all the ingredients and put together in one pot.
  23. I agree, this pasta dish looks so colorful! I love it. Pinning :)
  24. this makes my mouth water - it's so beautiful! and looks delish! YUM! Perfect dinner
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Thanks bunches Heather! I hope you have the chance to try it sometime!
  25. This looks amazing, I love meals like this, healthy and delicious!
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Thanks Tara! This dish is a staple at our house as it's easy to make and looks so pretty on the table!