One Pot Italian Chicken and Pasta

I am so excited to share this recipe with you today! It has quickly become a family favorite and I hope your family loves it, too.

During the week, and especially on the days I teach music lessons in the afternoon, I depend on my slow cooker for quick and easy meals to make for dinner.  I have had fun trying a lot of different one pot meals in the last few months and I love how easy they are to make and how few dishes I have to clean up afterwards.  I decided to come up with my own dish using some of my family's favorite flavors.  The result was amazing!   The dish comes together in under 30 minutes, but you'd never guess.  There is so much flavor going on, it tastes like you spent hours making it.  My family loved it and my kids even asked for thirds.  At one point during the meal little J looked at me and said "Mom, you make the best food!" This dish is definitely a winner.

To make this dish meal you will need an onion, garlic, 2 bell peppers, thinly sliced chicken, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, heavy cream, pasta, mozzarella and Parmesan (or just an Italian cheese blend), basil, oregano, salt and pepper.  


Put your diced onion to a large heated skillet with a little oil.  Cook for a couple of minutes until the onion starts to look translucent.  Add the minced garlic and stir for 30 seconds or so.  Then you add the chicken, pasta, tomatoes, chicken broth, cream, basil, oregano, salt and pepper.  We normally use whole wheat penne in this dish and it tastes delicious.  This time I used regular penne.  Use whatever kind your family likes. 

Turn the heat up to medium high and put the lid on until it starts to boil.  While you are waiting for it to come to a boil, slice your peppers.  You can use any type of bell pepper. Green adds great color, but I just had yellow and orange so I used those this time.  

  

When the pasta comes to a boil add the peppers. I have found that if I add them at this point, rather than with everything earlier, they are perfectly tender and not overcooked. Stir them into the pasta and cook, covered, on medium low heat for 10-12 minutes or until the pasta is tender and the chicken is cooked through. 

Add your cheeses to the skillet and stir around. 

Let the cheese melt for a few minutes.  Sprinkle a little extra cheese on top before serving if you'd like. 
 














There you have it.  The perfect weeknight dinner that your family will love!  Add some crusty bread and a green salad and you're all set.  Our Garlic mozzarella bread would be delicious with this dish.
    

One Pot Italian Chicken and Pasta
Recipe By: Prescriptions for a Happy Home

Ingredients:

2 T. olive oil

1 onion, diced
3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 medium sweet bell peppers, sliced into 2'' slices
1 large chicken breast, thinly sliced
12 oz box penne pasta (whole wheat works great)

2 cups of chicken broth

1 15oz. can diced tomatoes

1/2 cup of heavy cream
1/2 tsp basil
1/2 tsp oregano

1/2 salt

1/8 tsp pepper

3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, divided
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded (or you can use 1 1/2 cups of Italian cheese blend instead of the Parmesan and mozzarella)

Directions:

In a large skillet heat the oil over medium heat.  When hot add the onions and cook for 3-4 minutes until they start to turn translucent.  Add the garlic, stir and cook for 30 seconds or until fragrant.  Add the chicken, pasta, tomatoes, chicken broth, cream, basil, oregano, salt and pepper.  Place lid on the pan and turn heat to medium high until it starts to boil.  Once it starts to boil add the peppers and stir to combine.  Reduced heat to medium low and place the lid on top.  Cook for 10-12 minutes until chicken is cooked through and pasta is tender.  Turn off the heat and add 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese and the mozzarella cheese.  Stir to combine and sprinkle top with remaining Parmesan cheese.  Serve with a salad and crusty bread.

Makes 4-6 servings