Description
Garlic Herb Chicken Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Kale is a wholesome and flavorful pasta dish featuring tender chicken, sweet roasted tomatoes, and hearty kale, all tossed with garlic and Italian herbs for a comforting, balanced meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 8 oz pasta (penne, fusilli, or linguine)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 4 cups chopped fresh kale (stems removed)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (basil, thyme, oregano)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss cherry tomatoes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes until blistered.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear chicken until golden brown and cooked through (about 6–7 minutes per side). Remove and slice.
- In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil and sauté garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add chopped kale and cook until wilted, about 3–4 minutes.
- Add cooked pasta, roasted tomatoes, and sliced chicken to the skillet. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the mixture.
- Finish with lemon juice and grated Parmesan if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
- Use spinach or arugula instead of kale for a milder green.
- Rotisserie chicken can be used as a quick alternative.
- To make it vegetarian, omit chicken and add more vegetables or a plant-based protein.
- Add red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.
- Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 85mg