One-Pot Creamy Chicken and Vegetable Pasta
A comforting one-pot pasta dish featuring tender chicken breast and fresh vegetables in a creamy sauce. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 40 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes chicken breast, olive oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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
- 1 lb, cut into 1-inch cubes chicken breast
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 1 large, diced carrot
- 1 medium, diced zucchini
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb diced chicken breast and cook for 5-6 minutes until golden and cooked through, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 diced medium yellow onion, 1 diced large carrot, and 1 diced medium zucchini to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables soften and garlic is fragrant.
- Step 3: Pour in 4 cups chicken broth and add 12 oz penne pasta, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook uncovered for 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 cup heavy cream and 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Cook for 3 minutes more, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens and coats the pasta and vegetables evenly. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Creamy Chicken and Vegetable Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 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 Creamy 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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Creamy 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 Creamy 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 Creamy 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.
