Chicken Primavera
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Posted: 03/10/25
Updated: 03/18/25
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This Chicken Primavera is a quick and easy dinner packed with fresh veggies, tender chicken, and a creamy sauce. Tossed with pasta, it’s a flavorful and colorful meal the whole family will love. Perfect for busy weeknights or when you want a simple, delicious dinner!
Chicken pasta primavera is a one stop pasta with great protein and fresh veggies. The creamy sauce is so silky and coats each ridged penne noodle so perfectly.
Everyone at the table will love this fresh tasting pasta and will definitely be going back for seconds. Get ready to add it to the regular rotation!
why you’ll love this recipe
- Chicken primavera is ready to go in only 45 minutes.
- The chicken, vegetables and sauce are all cooked in the same pan, making for easier clean up.
- This dish comes together so nicely, it feels fancy without a crazy amount of work.
what does primavera mean?
Primavera literally means spring in Italian. This is a pasta that typically uses fresh spring vegetables like asparagus, peas, spring onions, broad beans and zucchini are used. Tomatoes and broccoli are also often used in this dish.
Is primavera the same as alfredo?
No, primavera and Alfredo are two separate types of pasta. Primavera is typically made with loads of fresh veggies and a cream sauce while Alfredo is typically just a cream sauce with fettucine.
ingredients for chicken primavera
- Penne – This is a great pasta with ridges so the sauce sticks to each noodle.
- Olive oil – Such a great flavor in any pasta dish.
- Boneless skinless chicken breast – Cut into even bite sized cubes for consistent cooking. You can use boneless skinless chicken thighs if necessary.
- Garlic cloves – Fresh, minced garlic adds such great flavor to this dish.
- Heavy cream – Heavy cream thickens perfectly to coat each noodle.
- Parmesan cheese – Make sure you’ve got extra to sprinkle on each dish before serving.
- Butter – This will help to make the sauce nice and silky.
- Peas – Using frozen peas is so convenient.
- Yellow onion – You can use a white onion in it’s place.
- Salt – Kosher salt is the way to go here.
- Ground black pepper – Top each dish with a little black pepper to give a burst of flavor.
- Zucchini – A zucchini about 6-8 inches long will cut up to the perfect amount.
- Cherry tomatoes – Halve these so they go a little further. You can also substitute grape tomatoes.
Helpful Tools
- Saute pan
- Large pot
- Chef’s knife
- Colander
- Garlic press
how to make chicken primavera
Put penne pasta on to cook to al dente.
Meanwhile, heat olive oil and cook chicken pieces.
Add garlic, cream, Parmesan, butter, peas, onion, zucchini, salt and pepper to the pan with cooked chicken.
Stir and bring to a boil then simmer, uncovered about 6 minutes.
Stir in tomatoes and simmer for another 5 minutes to continue thickening the sauce.
Remove from heat, stir in cooked pasta and rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Pro Tips
- Before adding the veggies and cream, be sure to scrape up any of the browned bits of chicken stuck to the pan. They are full of flavor.
- Sometimes cooking with dairy can be a bit intimidating because it can curdle, but not to worry, heavy cream has a high enough fat content that it will not curdle.
how to serve
This pasta dish is a full meal in itself but you can never go wrong adding sides like Antipasto Salad or Roasted Broccoli. Everyone will be happy to fill their plates with so many colors.
For dessert maybe something a little lighter like a delicious and simple Vanilla Pudding or maybe something a little fancy like Tiramisu, a classic Italian dessert that is always worth the wait.
How to store leftovers
FRIDGE: Store cooled leftover chicken pasta primavera in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days.
FREEZER: I don’t recommend freezing leftovers of this dish because they cream sauce may separate and it won’t taste quite as good after it is thawed and reheated.
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How to reheat
Reheat this pasta covered on the stove top or in the microwave with a splash of water to add a little bit of moisture.
Our chicken pasta primavera recipe is sure to be one that your friends ask you for. It’s creaminess is so decadent yet you feel so good eating it with all of the fresh veggies and chicken.
More great pasta recipes
- Add this 20 minute Garlic and Herb Penne to your meal plan for busy weeknights ahead.
- Sundried tomatoes and spinach freshen up our Easy Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta dish. Every bite is bursting with flavor.
- One Pot Chicken Spaghetti is ready in only 35 minutes and did I mention it is a one-pot meal!
- There is just something about a delicious Shrimp Scampi with Linguini that makes my mouth start to water. This recipe is restaurant quality and ready in under 30 minutes.
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Chicken Primavera Recipe
Easy and delicious Chicken Primavera! Loaded with fresh veggies, tender chicken, and creamy pasta, it’s the perfect quick dinner for busy nights. A family favorite everyone will enjoy!
Video
Ingredients
- 16 ounces penne 1 box
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breast cubed
- 5 garlic cloves minced
- 1 cup heavy cream room temperature
- 1½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 12 ounces frozen peas 1 bag
- ½ cup yellow onion diced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 zucchini sliced
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
Instructions
- Cook pasta in boiling salted water according to the package until al dente.
- While pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a dutch oven set over medium-high heat, and cook the chicken pieces through.
- Once chicken is fully cooked through, add in the garlic, cream, Parmesan cheese, butter, peas, onion, zucchini, salt and pepper.
- Stir on medium-high heat until the sauce begins to boil. Once it begins to boil, turn down the heat to medium and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 6 minutes.
- Stir in the tomatoes, simmer in the sauce for the last 5 minutes. The sauce will thicken as it simmers.
- Remove from heat and stir in the cooked pasta and let rest for 5 minutes.
- Serve immediately.
Tips
FRIDGE: Store cooled leftover chicken pasta primavera in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days.
FREEZER: I don’t recommend freezing leftovers of this dish because they cream sauce may separate and it won’t taste quite as good after it is thawed and reheated.
Reheat this pasta covered on the stove top or in the microwave with a splash of water to add a little bit of moisture.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 774kcal (39%), Carbohydrates: 74g (25%), Protein: 47g (94%), Fat: 32g (49%), Saturated Fat: 17g (106%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 149mg (50%), Sodium: 1014mg (44%), Potassium: 1039mg (30%), Fiber: 7g (29%), Sugar: 9g (10%), Vitamin A: 1694IU (34%), Vitamin C: 43mg (52%), Calcium: 304mg (30%), Iron: 3mg (17%)
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