12 Healthy Chicken Pasta Recipes That’ll Streamline Your Dinner Routine

Nothing says consolation meals fairly just like the combo of hen and pasta. Creamy strands of everybody’s favourite carb plus completely tender bites of well-seasoned protein—exhausting to beat, proper? Right here’s the factor although: Whereas I’m not (re: by no means) one to show down a pasta-packed plate, there are occasions when the overload of carbs makes me really feel… lower than like my optimum self. What’s a pasta lover like me to do when she’s craving her fave dish however desires to keep away from a meals hangover in any respect prices? She takes an web deep-dive—and discovers the perfect wholesome hen pasta recipes the world (sure, world!) has to supply.

“Wholesome” is an attention-grabbing phrase. As with many issues wellness-adjacent, the phrase’s connotations span the spectrum of which means. Rising up with a long time of internalized food plan tradition behind me, it’s been (and can proceed to be) an ever-developing journey of changing dangerous definitions with what really constitutes true well being.

However fortunately, because the dialogue shifts to a extra inclusive and celebratory perspective on meals, I can really feel my thought of well being change for the higher. I’m much less strict with how I eat, and because of this, I can benefit from the expertise of meals in its entirety—the prep, the consumption, and the neighborhood that surrounds it.

With all that being stated, a few of the recipes beneath stretch the definition of “wholesome.” Some embrace cream for creaminess and profit from a little bit of cheese. However you’ll discover veggies in abundance and a superb quantity of inexperienced in most of those dishes. As a result of: stability.

Function picture by For the Love of Gourmand.

Hen & Broccoli Alfredo from Gimme Scrumptious

Why We Love It: Alfredo’s identified for packing in all of the scrumptious, however nap-inducing, components. This recipe subs in a mixture of inventory and lighter milk for the butter and heavy cream (plus a small handful of parmesan—you may’t not add it in). The result’s a sauce that’s creamy, dreamy, and doesn’t sacrifice taste for the sake of a lighter meal.

Hero Ingredient: Two cups of broccoli florets provide the inexperienced for each a lift of vitamins and a bit welcome coloration.

Get the recipe for Hen & Broccoli Alfredo.

Wholesome Hen Stroganoff With Mushrooms from Bowl of Scrumptious

Why We Love It: Rising up, hen stroganoff was the retro dish my household would make with out fail each time it snowed (and snow in New England, it undoubtedly did). And whereas the silky sauce warmed my physique (and soul!) right through, on nights stroganoff was served, after I completed my plate, I’d go to sleep instantly. Looking for one thing a bit brisker, this recipe’s been a godsend. 20 minutes is all it takes to get its deliciousness on the desk.

Hero Ingredient: Subbing in Greek yogurt for the traditional bitter cream? Not a groundbreaking idea, however undoubtedly genius.

Get the recipe for Wholesome Hen Stroganoff With Mushrooms.

Lemon Hen Pasta from This Wholesome Desk

Why We Love It: I’m a bit lemon obsessed. The citrus is my go-to once I’m eager to brighten up a dish. I really like the spring-y taste it provides this Lemon Ricotta Poundcake and it by no means fails to carry me pleasure zested atop my all-time favourite simple weeknight dinner. On this recipe, the lemon, introduced along with the leeks, spinach, and parmesan, is drop-dead scrumptious.

Hero Ingredient: You in all probability caught on above, however this recipe is what it’s due to the lemon juice and zest.

Get the recipe for Lemon Hen Pasta.

Wholesome Hen Piccata from Wholesome Seasonal Recipes

Why We Love It: I really like the briny, peppery, and barely acidic trifecta of taste that capers, white wine, and parsley brings. It’s the traditional hen piccata taste that’s outlined this recipe as the last word Italian consolation dish. With simply half-hour put aside, you may get pleasure from a comfortable dinner that’s full of lean protein.

Hero Ingredient: Should you haven’t been one to love capers prior to now, this recipe’s about to vary (and blow!) your thoughts. Capers are barely tart, completely salty, and fill this dish with a pleasant lemony tang.

Get the recipe for Wholesome Hen Piccata.

Straightforward One Dish Hen Pasta

Why We Love It: One dish and one pot recipes are my weeknight secret weapons. As somebody who doesn’t have a dishwasher (and completely hates doing dishes), I attempt to strategize and make clean-up as simple and painless as attainable. Whereas I’m obsessive about this recipe for greater than the truth that it saves me time on the sink, (silky angel hair pasta! bursts of candy cherry tomatoes! peppery and floral sprigs of thyme!), not having to emphasize about cleansing the kitchen places any dish on the prime of my checklist.

Hero Ingredient: If we ever dine collectively, I’ve been identified to go all-in on the garlic when a recipe requires it. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Get the recipe for Straightforward One Dish Hen Pasta.

One Pot Creamy Mediterranean Hen Pasta from The Fashionable Correct

Why We Love It: Right here’s the place some folks may take my definition of wholesome into query. This recipe has cream, and also you higher consider it consists of butter, however with brilliant, briny bites of lemon and olives scattered all through, the flavour stays superbly balanced.

Hero Ingredient: When Kalamata olives meet a creamy fettuccine, stunning issues ensue.

Get the recipe for One Pot Creamy Mediterranean Hen Pasta.

Straightforward Hen Pesto Pasta from The Preppy Kitchen

Why We Love It: The verdant, hotter spring climate is the proper alternative to make pesto. I really like welcoming the shift in seasons with loads of recent herbs which can be made all the higher with pasta and parmesan. Observe the recipe for selfmade pesto or buy a superb jar of your favourite store-bought model—both manner, put together your palate for one thing crave-worthy.

Hero Ingredient: When you have the time, the selfmade pesto is 100% definitely worth the effort. The walnuts give it a hearty chew that superbly grounds the peppery arugula.

Get the recipe for Straightforward Hen Pesto Pasta.

Tomato Spinach Hen Spaghetti from Julia’s Album

Why We Love It: Like a lot of my favourite meals (soup, smoothies, and grain bowls counted amongst them), pasta provides you an ideal basis for incorporating nutrition-boosting veggies. This recipe makes probably the most of that truth, packing in a ton of tomatoes, spinach, and basil for fresh-from-the-garden taste.

Hero Ingredient: Sautéing the chopped, drained sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil weaves a bit welcome sweet-savoriness into each chew of this dish.

Get the recipe for Tomato Spinach Hen Spaghetti.

Lemon Hen Kale Pasta from For the Love of Gourmand

Why We Love It: Generally, recipes solely appear to incorporate kale as an afterthought. (“Oh, I haven’t eaten a inexperienced immediately? Let’s throw in some kale.”) However on this dish, the hardy, leafy inexperienced is a very intentional add. It brings coloration and texture to an in any other case beige (in all the perfect methods) dish. And if you happen to don’t really feel like making a salad tonight, no want to fret. All of the goodness your physique wants is true right here.

Hero Ingredient: A teaspoon of onion powder lends a bit sharpness for a balanced chew.

Get the recipe for Lemon Hen Kale Pasta.

Spaghetti Squash Carbonara from The Actual Easy Good Life

Why We Love It: I’ll be candid: For years and years, I haven’t understood the obsession with spaghetti squash. I’ve all the time discovered it stringy and missing in any taste itself. A complete squash fanatic, I’d a lot somewhat take pleasure in my faves: butternut, delicata, and acorn, please. Nevertheless it took falling exhausting for this recipe to indicate me the sunshine. Not solely does the spaghetti squash make this dish low-carb (if that’s your pace), however it additionally supplies a pleasant nutty base for the pasta’s different parts.

Hero Ingredient: Arrowroot starch is that this recipe’s all-star ingredient that makes the sauce tremendous, tremendous creamy.

Get the recipe for Spaghetti Squash Carbonara.

Creamy Tuscan Hen Pasta from Wholesome Health Meals

Why We Love It: It’s true: One chew of this pasta will transport you instantly to Italy. Whereas, certain, I’d a lot somewhat have a visit deliberate itself, absorbing all of the flavors of the Tuscan countryside is a comfort prize I’m keen to simply accept. Tacky, garlicky, and made multi function pot (ah, comfort), that is the pasta I’ve been dreaming would come into my life.

Hero Ingredient: Italian seasoning. As a result of Italian flavors > every little thing.

Get the recipe for Creamy Tuscan Hen Pasta.

Spaghetti With Hen and Grape Tomatoes from Skinny Style

Why We Love It: My earliest meals reminiscence was choosing plump grape tomatoes from my mother’s backyard. Ripened and warmed by the solar, I’d revel within the enjoyment of feeling every tomato’s brilliant, juicy taste burst in my mouth. Since then, something that features my favourite tomato varietal is an on the spot favourite. They provide this dish a pleasant little sweetness that’ll make you crave a second plate.

Hero Ingredient: IMO—oregano and basil are the perfect herbs to carry out all that’s good and exquisite about tomatoes.

Get the recipe for Spaghetti With Hen and Grape Tomatoes.

Let’s preserve this checklist going! Share your favourite hen pasta recipes beneath.