One-pot pasta is the way to go on busy weeknights. Filled with chicken and spinach, this healthy dinner is always popular! 271 calories and 6 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP
One-Pot Pasta Recipe with Chicken & Spinach
One-pot pasta is a fantastic meal for when you're short on time or have little inclination to wash a lot of dishes (that would be me all the time!) When things get busy around here, I dive into my arsenal of Ten 30-Minute Healthy Dinner Recipes (my saving grace) or pull out one of my one-pot recipes. And the bonus? This healthy pasta recipe is always a hit with my family and I can pat myself on the back, knowing that I've worked a good dose of veggies into our day.
When I first started watching what I ate, I avoided pasta recipes like the plague, even ones that were made with whole wheat pasta because I inevitably ate too much to make the dinner "low calorie" or healthy.
That is, until I learned a trick.
Pre-healthy eating, I would cook a pound of pasta (usually one box's worth), then mix it with various meats, sauces and vegetables. However, the dishes were always so pasta-heavy that I felt bloated by the end of the meal. Unless I want a ton of leftovers for lunch, now I just use 8 ounces of the pasta and mix in a double dose of protein (chicken, beans, shrimp) and vegetables.
By the end of the meal, my family and I are completely satisfied and have managed to eat a larger dose of healthy protein and vegetables, something that we can easily fall short on if we're not careful. I love my pasta, but have learned to eat it in moderation.
Tips for making this one-pot pasta recipe:
- I used whole wheat penne, but any short pasta shape will do. Really, even spaghetti will work. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time (see the note in the recipe below).
- Since everything is being cooked in the same pan, you want to use one that's big enough to hold all of the ingredients. Any large saucepan would work, but my favorite pan to use is my indispensable Everyday Pan (affiliate link). The surface area is large and the sides are just the right height.
- Make-ahead tip: To save even more time when the dinner hour rolls around, chops the chicken and vegetables ahead of time and store in the fridge. You can even cook the chicken the day before to save additional time.
Other healthy one-pot recipes:
One-Pot Chicken, Quinoa, Mushrooms & Spinach Recipe {Cookin' Canuck}
One-Pot Italian Chicken & Quinoa Recipe {Cookin' Canuck}
One-Pot Lentil Pumpkin Stew {Center Cut Cook}
One-Pot Spiralized Zucchini Noodle Soup {Peas & Crayons}
Printable Recipe
One-Pot Whole Wheat Pasta with Chicken & Spinach
Ingredients
- 4 teaspoons olive oil divided
- 2 skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into ¾-inch pieces
- ¼ teaspoons ground pepper
- 1 orange, red, or yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- ¾ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 14.5 ounce can petite diced tomatoes
- 2 ¼ cups fat-free chicken broth see note
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 8 ounces whole wheat penne pasta
- 2 cups lightly packed spinach leaves, coarsely chopped
- 3 tablespoons minced flat-leaf parsley
- ¼ cup 1 ½ ounces crumbled feta cheese
- salt to taste
Instructions
- In a large nonstick saucepan (or nonstick skillet with high sides) set over medium-high heat, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil. Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until just cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add 1 teaspoon of olive oil to the saucepan. Add the orange pepper and cook for 1 minute. Transfer to the bowl with the chicken. Set aside.
- Add the remaining 1 teaspoon of olive oil to the saucepan. Add the onion and sauté until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and oregano, and cook for 30 seconds.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes, chicken broth and balsamic vinegar. Bring to a boil, then stir in the pasta, stirring to coat and submerge the pasta.
- Cover and simmer until the pasta is al dente (see note).
- Stir in the chicken, bell pepper, spinach and parsley, and stir to wilt the spinach. Remove from the heat and sprinkle with the feta cheese. Taste and add salt, if desired. Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted on October 7, 2015, and has been updated.
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Kelly
Just made it..,.sooo yummy even for this super picky eater!! Loved it!
kellie | The Suburban Soapbox
This is the perfect weeknight dinner, so colorful and healthy! My family will love it!
Kim Beaulieu
Oh my gosh, this is absolutely perfect. It's chock full of so many good things. I'd gobble this up super fast.
Whitni @ A Cookie & A Kiss
I have been wanting to make pasta with spinach and I think this post just convinced me to do so tomorrow!! Beautiful pictures by the way!
Marjory @ Dinner-Mom
I just love the way you think - great tip to just use less pasta and more of everything else. My family would love this one!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
I love a one pot meal, and this pasta is perfect! I am trying to cut back on pasta as well, and adding more protein is such a great and easy idea!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking
8oz of pasta for 6 people?! Oh, man. I don't think I'll share how much I usually eat. :/ I'll try adding more meat next time and see how that goes! It'd be great to cut down a little on the pasta. And love the simplicity of this meal!
brenda@sugarfreemom
What a smart idea about using ess pasta than typical in most dishes heavy on the pasta and small in the veggies and protein. Love one pot recipes!
Lauren Kelly Nutrition
I adore all of the ingredients in this recipe! And I love that it's a one pot meal! It makes my life easier!
Becky Hardin | The Cookie Rookie
One pot meals...what is better!!? This looks so so good...can't wait to try it!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes
Keep the one pot meals coming! I live for them! LOL This pasta dish looks amazing!
The Food Hunter
This has my name written all over it!!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet
Yummy! Anything pasta and I'm in, especially if it only involves one pot 🙂 The balsamic vinegar is the perfect touch.
Angie
So you do a half a box for four? We need to start doing that, because we hardly ever eat pasta, and when we do, we go overboard. Pizza too, we're binge eaters with pizza and pasta.
Erin@WellPlated
Easy but flavorful recipes like this are something I can never have enough of. Love that it's whole wheat too!
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain
Bring on the one-pot meals! Love this combination of flavors. Also, so excited to see you in two weeks!
Amanda | The Chunky Chef
Healthy pasta dishes are awesome and yours looks amazing!!
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer
I would never guess that pasta is one-pot! It looks like something you would get from a gourmet restaurant 🙂 Simply beautiful!
Beth
I love the idea of adding twice the amount of protein.. besides, who doesn't need more protein in their diet?! 🙂
Tasha @thatssoyummy
This pasta dish looks AMAZING! I think I could eat that whole thing 🙂