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Chicken Zucchini Pasta Recipe

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This easy chicken zucchini pasta is packed with fresh flavors and ready in 30 minutes! Perfect for a quick and delicious meal.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz (250 g) short pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon (20 g) butter
  • 1 lb (450 g) chicken breast
  • 1 lb (450 g) zucchini (about 2 medium ones)
  • 2 small garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • ⅓ cup (30 g) Parmesan, grated
  • ½ cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
  • ¼ cup (30 g) pine nuts, toasted
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta – Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Before draining, scoop out about a cup of pasta water—this helps adjust the sauce later.
  • Prep the chicken and zucchini – Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and slice the zucchini into half-moons. Keeping them uniform helps them cook evenly.
  • Sauté the chicken – Heat olive oil and butter in a large pan over medium heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then cook until golden brown and fully cooked through. Once done, set it aside.
  • Cook the zucchini – In the same pan, add a bit more oil if needed and toss in the zucchini. Keep the heat at low-medium to allow the zucchini to soften without getting mushy.
  • Add garlic and seasoning – Stir in the garlic, Italian seasoning, and lemon juice. Cook for about a minute until fragrant.
  • Bring everything together – Add the chicken back to the pan, followed by the pasta. If it looks dry, pour in some reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
  • Finish with toppings – Stir in Parmesan, pine nuts, and fresh parsley. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
  • Serve immediately – Dish it up with extra Parmesan on top and enjoy!

Notes

How to serve it like a pro

For a beautiful presentation, serve the pasta in a wide, shallow bowl and sprinkle some extra Parmesan and parsley on top. If you really want to impress, toast a few extra pine nuts and scatter them over each plate for a little extra crunch. Pair with a simple side salad or some crusty bread to round out the meal.

  • Author: Lily
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: dinner