Garlic Herb Chicken & Veg Pasta (Printable)

Roasted garlic-herb chicken with fresh vegetables tossed in penne and light sauce. Italian-inspired, balanced, and easy to prepare.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
05 - 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
06 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
07 - ½ teaspoon salt
08 - ½ teaspoon black pepper

→ Vegetables

09 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
10 - 1 zucchini, sliced into half-moons
11 - 1 small red onion, sliced
12 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
13 - 1 cup broccoli florets

→ Pasta

14 - 12 ounces penne pasta
15 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
16 - ¼ cup reserved pasta water

→ Finish

17 - ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
18 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
19 - Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
20 - Extra salt and pepper, to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine chicken breasts with 2 tablespoons olive oil, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper. Toss well to coat evenly.
03 - Place seasoned chicken on one side of the prepared tray. Arrange bell pepper, zucchini, onion, cherry tomatoes, and broccoli on the other side. Drizzle vegetables with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper. Toss to coat and spread in a single layer.
04 - Roast for 20-25 minutes until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F and vegetables are tender. Remove from oven and let chicken rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
05 - Meanwhile, cook penne in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup pasta water, then drain pasta.
06 - In a large skillet over medium heat, combine cooked pasta, roasted vegetables, sliced chicken, and reserved pasta water. Toss gently to combine and heat through.
07 - Stir in Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and lemon zest if using. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper to taste.
08 - Transfer to serving plates and serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything roasts on one tray so cleanup is almost nonexistent
  • The pasta water trick creates the most silky light sauce without any cream
  • Leftovers actually taste better the next day when flavors meld together
02 -
  • Dont skip the pasta water step because it creates a silky emulsion that binds everything together
  • Crowding the roasting pan will steam the vegetables instead of roasting them so give them space
  • The chicken keeps cooking while it rests so pull it out when it reaches about 70°C (158°F)
03 -
  • Toss the chicken and vegetables halfway through roasting for even browning
  • If the pasta seems dry after adding the pasta water, add more a splash at a time
  • Room temperature chicken roasts more evenly than cold straight from the fridge
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