The last month or so, the most popular recipes here are Nifty Mom have been quick and easy pasta dinners. With school just starting up and schedules getting busier, it makes complete sense. Today I am sharing a Chicken & Peppers Pasta recipe; another easy dinner great for weeknights. While this recipe is sponsored by Barilla, all opinions are my own.
Just over two weeks of school down. The first full week went pretty amazing. Then this past week I slipped up and got caught up in all the chaos. It wasn’t until Tuesday that I realized I hadn’t put together a weekly meal plan, didn’t get my grocery shopping done, and I had no idea what to make for dinner.
It happens. I tried not to panic like I have done many times in the past. I knew if I could at least get through that evening, I would have time to make a list and plan out the rest of the week.
Before heading to the afternoon pick up line at the kids’ school, I make a quick stop at Walmart. I grabbed some fresh produce and bread. I wasn’t sure how many pasta and sauces I had in the pantry, so I grabbed a couple of boxes of Barilla pasta, as well as Barilla Tomato & Basil Sauce. Barilla Penne Pasta is enriched with Iron and B Vitamins and is made with non-GMO ingredients. Barilla Tomato Basil has no preservatives, is gluten-free, and also is made with non-GMO ingredients.
Ingredients:
- 1 box Barilla Penne Pasta
- 3 bell peppers (variety of green, red, orange, or yellow), thinly sliced
- 1 white onion, diced
- 2 lbs cooked chicken breasts, diced
- 1 jar Barilla Tomato & Basil sauce
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
helpful note: As mentioned in previous recipes, we have been grilling 6-9 chicken breasts every Sunday. We use them for lunch prep for the week and save a couple, just in case, to add to a quick dinner. This recipe could also use cooked frozen chicken or uncooked chicken (this will just add a few more minutes for cooking).
Instructions:
Bring water to a boil in a large pot and cook penne pasta, as directed on the packaging.
While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium/high heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Add bell peppers, onion and cooked chicken breasts. (if using uncooked chicken, add it to the pan 5 minutes before the peppers, cooking thoroughly).
Cook covered for about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally until peppers are tender-crisp.
Mix in Barilla Tomato & Basil sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.
Gently mix in strained Barilla Penne Pasta.
Top with shredded mozzarella cheese, cover for 5 minutes for the cheese to melt.
Pasta dinners with fresh vegetables and chicken are not only perfect for weeknights but is also a family hit. This Chicken & Peppers Pasta can also be a great side dish if you omit the chicken.
Chicken & Peppers Pasta {Quick & Easy Dinner}
This dish pairs tomato & basil sauce with fresh vegetables and pasta for a quick and easy dinner solution.
Ingredients
- 1 box Penne Pasta
- 3 bell peppers (variety of green, red, orange, or yellow), thinly sliced
- 1 white onion, diced
- 2 lbs cooked chicken breasts, diced
- 1 jar Barilla Tomato & Basil sauce (or any pasta sauce)
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Cook penne pasta as directed on the packaging
- While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium/high heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Add bell peppers, onion, and cooked chicken breasts. (if using uncooked chicken, add it to the pan 5 minutes before the peppers, cooking thoroughly).
- Cook covered for about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally until peppers are tender-crisp.
- Mix in Barilla Tomato & Basil sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Gently mix in strained penne pasta.
- Top with shredded mozzarella cheese, cover for 5 minutes for the cheese to melt.
What’s your favorite quick & easy pasta dinner?