Are you craving a mouthwatering meal that combines tender chicken, vibrant bell peppers, and perfectly cooked pasta in a delicious marinara sauce? Look no further! This Italian-inspired dish is not just a recipe, it's a culinary adventure that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal you can easily create in your own kitchen. In just 30 minutes, you'll have a crowd-pleasing dinner that will have everyone asking for seconds!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked pasta
- 1 lb chicken breast, sliced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients by slicing chicken breast into thin strips, cutting bell pepper and onion into uniform slices, and mincing garlic cloves.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside, keeping warm.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a tablespoon of olive oil.
- Season chicken strips with salt and pepper, then add to the hot skillet. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove chicken from skillet and set aside on a plate, keeping warm.
- In the same skillet, add sliced onions and bell peppers. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until vegetables start to soften and become slightly caramelized.
- Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, stirring to prevent burning.
- Return chicken to the skillet and pour marinara sauce over the chicken and vegetables. Stir to combine and heat through for 2-3 minutes.
- Serve the chicken and pepper mixture over the prepared pasta, ensuring even distribution.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or grated Parmesan cheese if desired, and serve immediately.
Tips
- For maximum flavor, make sure to season your chicken generously with salt and pepper before cooking.
- Use a high-heat cooking method to achieve a beautiful golden-brown sear on the chicken, which locks in moisture and adds depth to the dish.
- Don't overcrowd the skillet when cooking chicken - this ensures proper browning and prevents steaming.
- Choose bell peppers of different colors for a more visually appealing and nutritionally diverse meal.
- For an extra flavor boost, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or Italian herbs to the marinara sauce.
- If you want to make the dish lighter, you can use whole wheat pasta or substitute with zucchini noodles.
- Always have your pasta cooked and ready before you start cooking the chicken and vegetables to ensure everything is served hot.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 85mg
