Description
A delightful dish combining tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and creamy feta cheese, perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne or fusilli pasta
- 2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 12 oz), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 3.5 oz sun-dried tomatoes, oil-packed and drained, sliced
- 3.5 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 oz pitted Kalamata olives, halved
- 2 cups baby spinach leaves
- 4 oz feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain using a colander and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking water.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and season with salt, pepper, oregano, and thyme. Sauté for 6 to 8 minutes until golden and cooked through. Transfer chicken to a plate.
- In the same skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon olive oil. Add chopped onion and diced red bell pepper, sautéing for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add sun-dried tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, and Kalamata olives to the skillet. Cook for approximately 2 minutes, stirring well.
- Return the chicken to the skillet, then add baby spinach leaves. Sauté until spinach is wilted.
- Add drained pasta to the skillet, tossing thoroughly with the chicken and vegetables. Add reserved pasta water, a little at a time, if needed to loosen the mixture.
- Remove skillet from heat and gently fold in crumbled feta, parsley, and optional fresh dill.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, and chili flakes if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
Serve warm; adding a sprinkle of extra feta and fresh herbs makes it more appetizing. Can store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: chicken pasta, Greek pasta, feta cheese, weeknight dinner, easy pasta recipe