Chicken Penne Pasta with Asparagus and Peppers

Name: Chicken Penne with Asparagus and Peppers
Prep time: 18 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 12 ounces whole wheat penne pasta* (or gluten-free chickpea penne pasta); Salt and pepper; 6 tablespoons olive oil, divided; 1 1/4 pounds chicken breasts, diced; 1 pound asparagus, trimmed and chopped (sub: green beans); 1 onion, diced (about 1 1/2 cups); 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped; 1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and chopped; 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning; Pinch red pepper flakes; 2 garlic cloves, minced (or 1 teaspoon pre-minced garlic); 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (sub: fresh lemon juice); 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley (sub: fresh basil); 2 ounces (about 1/2 cup) crumbled feta cheese (sub: grated Parmesan cheese or crumbled goat cheese)

★★★★★ 5 /5

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By: Rachel TiemeyerPosted: 9/21/23Updated: 10/13/23

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Chicken Penne Pasta with Asparagus and Peppers is a simple, super healthy, and incredibly delicious pasta dinner that stretches a long way. Use up whatever veggies you have in the fridge. Done in 30 minutes and great as leftovers for days to come!

Chicken Penne with Asparagus and Peppers in a skillet with fresh basil and feta on top ready to be served.

Table of Contents

Why This Recipe Works

I’ve made this meal countless times for friends and family (red-meat-eating men included), and it’s a huge win every time. I’m seriously sad when the leftovers run out for my lunches.

Here’s why I love this pasta dish:

Tastes fresh and light, yet still pops with flavor (thank you balsamic vinegar, fresh herbs, salty pasta water, and feta!)
Filled with all whole foods, nourishing ingredients. That means it’ll keep your hunger at bay for a long time! Great training food for athletes.
Only takes 30 minutes from start to finish!

Ingredient Notes

Here are the components of this dish that you’ll need to gather:

Chicken Penne with Asparagus and Peppers ingredients measured in bowls and labeled on a wooden cutting board.

Notes:

Pasta – I like to use whole wheat penne pasta because it holds up well in this dish and is higher in fiber and protein, but use whatever kind you like. I’ve tested this with gluten-free chickpea penne pasta (Banza brand), too, and it’s great.
Fresh parsley or basil – The fresh herbs really make this dish pop with color and fresh flavor, so don’t skip them.
Feta cheese – Feel free to add even more feta or to use crumbled goat cheese or shredded or grated Parmesan instead.
This is a pretty forgiving recipe, so feel free to swap out your protein (shrimp would be yummy!) and veggies (i.e. zucchini, squash, Swiss chard, spinach).

Note: Find our full printable recipe with ingredient amounts and directions at the bottom of this post.

How to Make Chicken Penne Pasta

Here’s a quick overview of the recipe, but you’ll find all the details in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Cook Pasta

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a palmful of salt. Cook pasta according to package directions. IMPORTANT: Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Drain the pasta and return to the pot.

Slotted spoon with penne pasta on it above a pot of boiling penne.

Cooked penne pasta in a stainless steel colander for Chicken Penne with Asparagus and Peppers.

Sauté Chicken

Heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat until it’s shimmery. Add diced chicken and season with salt and pepper. Sauté until there’s no more pink, about 3-4 minutes. Remove to a plate and set aside.

Diced chicken breasts sauteing in a stainless steel skillet.

Sauté Veggies

Add another tablespoon oil and the onions, asparagus, and peppers. Season with the Italian season and lightly with salt and pepper. Sauté until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and sauté another 1 minute.

Onions, asparagus, red & yellow bell peppers sauteing in a stainless steel skillet.

Combine Everything

Add the hot pasta, chicken, 1/4 cup pasta water, balsamic vinegar, 4 tablespoons olive oil, parsley, and feta. Stir to combine. Taste and season with more salt and pepper, as needed. Stir in more pasta water, if it’s too dry.

Cooked penne pasta, cooked chicken, and sauteed onions, asparagus, and bell peppers in a skillet with fresh basil and feta on top ready to be mixed together.

Chicken penne pasta with asparagus and peppers all mixed together in a skillet ready to be served.

Side Dish Ideas

Although Chicken Penne Pasta is a one-dish-wonder, it couldn’t hurt to serve it along with one of these delicious sides.

Bread Machine Wheat Rolls

Strawberry Fields Spinach Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

stirring fruit salad together after adding dressing

Classic Fruit Salad

Wilted Lettuce Salad

Recipe FAQs

Can I use something other than penne pasta?

I like to use whole wheat penne pasta because it’s full of fiber and nutrients and holds up well in this dish, but you can certainly use rotini or bow-tie pasta instead.

Can I use leftover chicken instead of raw chicken?

Absolutely, using pre-cooked chicken can save time. Just make sure to warm it through while sautéing the asparagus and peppers. Check out more leftover rotisserie chicken recipes.

What makes this dish healthy?

Whole wheat pasta, lean chicken breasts, several kinds of vegetables, and a heart-healthy, low-calorie sauce make this a nutritious and filling meal.

Can you freeze this dish?

This recipe will not freeze well. The pasta will get mushy, the vegetables will get soggy, and the chicken will get dried out when thawing and warming up.

Can this be made gluten-free?

Yes, just use your favorite gluten-free pasta in place of the whole wheat pasta. I really like Banza Brand.

Chicken Penne with Asparagus and Peppers served on plates with fresh basil and feta cheese on top.

Photos and video by Whitney Reist of Sweet Cayenne.

Rachel Tiemeyer

As co-founder of Thriving Home, Rachel dreams about creating recipes (literally) and uses her husband, her 3 kids, and even the neighbors as guinea pigs several nights a week. She believes that good food has the power to bring families and friends closer together and continues to wake up excited about her job each day, even after 10+ years!