One-Pot Whole Wheat Pasta with Chicken & Spinach
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
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories: 271.3kcal
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
Weight Watchers Points: 6 (Freestyle SmartPoints), 7 (Points+)
Note: Depending on the cooking time recommended on the pasta package, the amount of chicken broth required may vary between 1¾ cups and 2¼ cups. If desired, start with 1¾ cups and then add additional chicken broth partway through cooking, if necessary. The cooking time will be longer than what is recommended on the package, as the pasta is simmering rather than boiling in this recipe.
Nutrition
Serving: 1.25Cups | Calories: 271.3kcal | Carbohydrates: 38.2g | Protein: 17.5g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2.1g | Cholesterol: 35.3mg | Sodium: 530.1mg | Fiber: 6.5g | Sugar: 4g