If you’re craving a vibrant, comforting dish that effortlessly balances fresh vegetables with tender chicken and luscious cream sauce, then this Chicken Pasta Primavera Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. It’s a delightful celebration of springtime flavors woven together with perfectly cooked pasta and a rich Parmesan cream sauce. Whether you want a weekday dinner that feels special or a colorful meal to impress friends, this recipe hits every mark with freshness, creaminess, and that irresistible Italian flair.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Chicken Pasta Primavera Recipe is carefully chosen to create a perfect harmony of taste, texture, and color. From the savory cream sauce components to the fresh, crunchy vegetables, each item plays an essential role in making this dish both simple and spectacular.
- Unsalted butter (3 tablespoons): Provides a rich, creamy base for the sauce without overpowering the other flavors.
- Garlic, minced (3 cloves): Adds aromatic depth and a subtle kick that wakes up the palate.
- Heavy cream (1 cup): Gives the sauce a velvety smooth texture that clings lovingly to the pasta and veggies.
- Shredded Parmesan cheese (1/2 cup): Brings that nutty, savory punch essential for authentic Italian flavor.
- Ground black pepper (1/4 teaspoon plus extra): Enhances flavor with a gentle heat and complexity.
- Olive oil (2 tablespoons): Used for sautéing chicken and vegetables, adding subtle fruitiness and helping everything cook evenly.
- Chicken breast, diced (1 pound): Tender protein that soaks up herbs and seasoning like a dream, providing juicy bites throughout.
- Italian seasoning (1/2 teaspoon): A fragrant blend of herbs that infuses the chicken with classic Mediterranean notes.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon total): Enhances all the ingredients’ natural flavors, balancing the dish perfectly.
- Fresh veggies (3-4 cups): A colorful mix of asparagus, zucchini, bell pepper, broccoli, red onion, peas, and cherry tomatoes adds crunch, sweetness, and a garden-fresh feel.
- Pasta of your choice: Although not listed with exact quantity, choose a long pasta like fettuccine, linguine, or penne to catch every bit of sauce and vegetables.
How to Make Chicken Pasta Primavera Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Cream Sauce
Start by melting butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. As soon as it’s melted, toss in the minced garlic for about one minute to release that gorgeous aroma without letting it brown. Next, pour in the heavy cream and sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese, whisking gently to meld everything into a smooth, creamy sauce. This should only take one to two minutes before you remove it from heat and set it aside. This sauce is going to coat your pasta and veggies beautifully, creating a dreamy base that tastes luxurious but is so easy to whip up.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add your diced chicken breast and immediately season it with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. The key here is to cook the chicken quickly and evenly, stirring often to prevent sticking and to ensure every piece is perfectly cooked, juicy, and flavorful. This will take about 4 minutes. Once done, remove the chicken and set it aside, keeping all those delicious browned bits in the pan for the veggies.
Step 3: Boil the Pasta
While the chicken cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your chosen pasta according to the package instructions. The salt in the water is crucial because it seasons the pasta internally, elevating its flavor. Once al dente, reserve some of that starchy pasta water—this magic liquid will help loosen up the sauce later if it gets too thick—and drain the rest.
Step 4: Cook the Vegetables
In the same skillet used for the chicken, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and toss in your prepped vegetables, excluding the cherry tomatoes. Sauté for around 5 minutes until they soften slightly but keep a bit of snap. Cherry tomatoes join the party last, added during the final 30 seconds to keep their bright color and juicy burst intact. Season the veggies with salt and black pepper to balance and highlight their natural sweetness.
Step 5: Combine Everything
Now for the joyful part—combine the cooked pasta, sautéed vegetables, and that luscious cream sauce in the skillet. If the sauce feels too thick or sticky, add some reserved pasta water a little at a time until it achieves that perfectly silky consistency. Then gently fold in the cooked chicken pieces, ensuring everything is evenly coated in sauce and heated through. Once combined, remove from heat and get ready to dig in immediately while it’s warm and inviting.
How to Serve Chicken Pasta Primavera Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or basil adds a pop of vibrant green that contrasts beautifully with the creamy sauce and colorful veggies. For some added zing, a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes can bring a gentle heat that excites your taste buds without overwhelming the dish. And don’t forget an extra shaving of Parmesan for that irresistible finishing touch.
Side Dishes
Because the Chicken Pasta Primavera Recipe is already bursting with flavor and nutrients, you can keep sides simple but complementary. A fresh green salad with a light lemon vinaigrette brightens the meal, while a warm crusty bread or garlic bread offers the perfect way to soak up any leftover sauce on your plate. Grilled or roasted veggies on the side can add an additional layer of earthiness if you want to double down on the greens.
Creative Ways to Present
For a stunning presentation, serve the pasta in shallow bowls and garnish with edible flowers or microgreens to reinforce the primavera’s springtime vibe. Layer cooked vegetables on the bottom with pasta and chicken artistically arranged on top for a restaurant-quality look. Alternatively, spoon portions into individual ramekins and broil briefly with a Parmesan crust on top for a lovely gratin twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Chicken Pasta Primavera Recipe keeps really well in the fridge for up to three days. Store it in an airtight container to maintain freshness. The cream sauce thickens when chilled, so before serving leftovers, gently reheat and stir in a little water or broth to restore that luscious creaminess.
Freezing
Freezing cream-based pasta dishes can be tricky because sauces sometimes separate, but if you plan to freeze, portion the pasta without sauce to maintain the best texture. Freeze cooked chicken and veggies separately or combined with pasta, then prepare the cream sauce fresh upon reheating for the best results.
Reheating
To reheat, place leftovers in a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of milk, cream, or broth as needed, stirring frequently until warmed through and smooth. Avoid high heat to prevent the sauce from breaking or the chicken from drying out. Heated gently, this Chicken Pasta Primavera Recipe tastes just as delightful the second time around.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta for this recipe?
Absolutely! The creamy sauce and vegetables pair wonderfully with almost any pasta shape. Long noodles like linguine or fettuccine work well to catch the sauce, but penne, rigatoni, or even farfalle offer great texture and bite.
What vegetables are best for Chicken Pasta Primavera Recipe?
Traditional primavera includes a medley of fresh spring vegetables like asparagus, zucchini, bell peppers, and peas, but feel free to customize with what’s in season or your favorites. Just aim for a mix of colors and textures to keep it lively.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes, with some adjustments. Replace butter with olive oil and use a dairy-free cream alternative such as coconut cream or cashew cream. Nutritional yeast can add a cheesy flavor instead of Parmesan. Keep in mind that the sauce texture and taste will vary slightly.
How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?
Diced chicken cooks quickly, usually around 4 minutes on medium-high heat. It should be opaque and firm to the touch with no pink inside. Using a meat thermometer, the internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C) for safety.
Can I prepare parts of the recipe in advance?
Definitely! You can make the cream sauce a day ahead and keep it refrigerated, or chop and prep all your vegetables in advance. Cooking the chicken and veggies right before serving ensures everything tastes fresh and vibrant.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken Pasta Primavera Recipe is truly a joyful way to bring fresh, satisfying flavors to your table any day of the week. It’s simple enough for a family dinner but special enough to impress guests, with a perfect balance of creamy sauce, tender chicken, and crisp vegetables. I encourage you to give it a try—you’ll soon find it becoming a favorite that brightens your meal rotation with every bite.
Print
Chicken Pasta Primavera Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
Chicken Pasta Primavera is a vibrant and creamy dish combining tender chicken, fresh seasonal vegetables, and a rich Parmesan cream sauce tossed with pasta. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for a wholesome weeknight dinner that bursts with flavor and color.
Ingredients
Cream Sauce
- 3 tablespoons (42 grams) unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Chicken
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
- 1 pound (450 grams) chicken breast, diced into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
- 3–4 cups fresh prepped vegetables (chopped asparagus, sliced zucchini, bell pepper, chopped broccoli, thinly sliced red onion, fresh or frozen peas, halved cherry tomatoes)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Other
- Pasta (amount according to package directions)
- Salt for pasta water
Instructions
- Make the cream sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter and add the minced garlic. Cook the garlic for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Then pour in the heavy cream and sprinkle the shredded Parmesan cheese over it. Whisk continuously until the sauce is smooth and creamy, about 1-2 minutes. Season with 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Cook the chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken breast and immediately season with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken pieces are fully cooked through and lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Once done, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta following package instructions until al dente. Reserve some pasta water before draining in case it’s needed to thin out the sauce later.
- Cook the vegetables: Using the same skillet, heat another tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add all the prepared vegetables except the cherry tomatoes. Sauté the vegetables for about 5 minutes until they begin to soften but still retain some crispness. In the last 30 seconds, add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and heat through.
- Combine everything: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the vegetables. Pour in the cream sauce and stir gently to coat all ingredients evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to reach the desired consistency. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and gently toss everything together. Once combined, remove from heat and serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water after draining to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
- Use fresh seasonal vegetables for best flavor and texture in primavera.
- Ensure chicken is cooked thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Parmesan cheese adds saltiness; adjust added salt to taste.
- This dish is best served immediately to enjoy the cream sauce at its creamy best.
