One-Pot Cheesy Chicken and Vegetable Pasta
Creamy pasta with tender chicken and seasonal vegetables, simmered to perfection in a single pot for effortless family meals. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 35 minutes pairs penne pasta, medium, diced zucchini, medium, diced carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 2 boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch cubes chicken breasts
- 1 medium, diced zucchini
- 1 medium, diced carrot
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup, grated mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp dried basil
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz penne pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente; reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 oz chicken breast cubes and cook for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through; remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Add 1 medium diced zucchini, 1 medium diced carrot, and 1/4 tsp dried basil to the skillet; sauté for 4-5 minutes until vegetables are tender but crisp.
- Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1/2 cup heavy cream, and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water; simmer for 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Step 5: Add drained penne, cooked chicken, 1/2 cup grated mozzarella, and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan to the skillet. Toss until cheese melts and sauce coats pasta, adding more pasta water if needed to reach desired consistency.
- Step 6: Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper to taste.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Cheesy Chicken and Vegetable Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover One-Pot Cheesy Chicken and Vegetable Pasta?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Cheesy Chicken and Vegetable Pasta?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Pot Cheesy Chicken and Vegetable Pasta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with One-Pot Cheesy Chicken and Vegetable Pasta?
Italian one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
- ★★☆☆☆
Didn't come together the way I expected. Flavors were flat.
