One-Pan Creamy Chicken and Vegetable Pasta
A quick and easy one-pan dish that combines tender pasta, succulent chicken, and a colorful medley of fresh vegetables in a creamy sauce.
Ingredients
For the Panko Topping
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup panko crumbs
- 1 pinch salt
For the Pasta and Sauce
- 3 1/2 cups water
- 12 ounces dried ziti
- 2 cups mixed fresh vegetables (such as asparagus, matchstick carrots, and sliced onions)
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon Italian herb seasoning blend
- 1 teaspoon chicken-flavored soup base (like Better than Bouillon®)
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups chopped, cooked chicken
- 1 cup chopped fresh spinach (packed)
- 1/2 cup sour cream (or to taste)
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 sprig fresh basil (for optional garnish)
Instructions
Preparation
- Gather all your ingredients so you have everything handy while you cook.
- In a Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the panko crumbs and a pinch of salt. Cook while stirring occasionally until the panko turns golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the pot and set aside.
Cooking the Pasta
- In the same pot, add 3 1/2 cups of water and stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt. Bring to a boil, then add the dried ziti. Stir to combine and boil uncovered, stirring occasionally for about 6 minutes.
- Add the fresh vegetables, minced garlic, Italian herb seasoning, chicken-flavored soup base, and ground black pepper. Bring back to a boil and cook until the pasta and vegetables are tender and most of the water has evaporated, about 4 minutes.
Finishing the Dish
- Stir in the chopped, cooked chicken and fresh spinach, cooking for another minute to warm everything through.
- Mix in the sour cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese until well blended with the pasta and chicken.
- Transfer to a serving bowl, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle the reserved panko on top, garnish with fresh basil, and serve warm.
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Notes
Consider serving alongside a fresh garden salad or toasted bread to soak up the creamy sauce. Offer extra grated Parmesan on the side for cheese lovers.