One-Pot Kid-Friendly Chicken and Vegetable Pasta

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-07 · Updated 2026-08-07

A simple, wholesome pasta dish combining tender chicken with colorful vegetables in a light tomato sauce, perfect for young palates. This Italian-inspired kid-friendly recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs chicken breast, olive oil, carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 360 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

• 12 oz, diced into 1/2-inch cubes chicken breast
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium, peeled and diced carrot
• 1 small, diced zucchini
• 2, minced garlic cloves
• 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
• 8 oz penne pasta
• 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 12 oz diced chicken breast and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and lightly browned.
2. Step 2: Add 1 medium diced carrot, 1 small diced zucchini, and 2 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables soften and the garlic is fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 8 oz penne pasta, 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 12-14 minutes until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
4. Step 4: Remove the pot from heat and stir in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce coats the pasta evenly. Serve warm.