Herbed Chicken and Rotini Pasta Delight
Transform your weeknight dinners with this delightful Herbed Chicken and Rotini Pasta dish. Packed with tender bite-sized chicken, aromatic herbs, and sun-dried tomatoes, this pasta toss is a symphony of flavors that comes together quickly and easily. Perfectly cooked rotini pasta makes this a hearty meal that’s sure to be a hit with the whole family. Serve it up with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for an extra touch of flavor!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
rotini pasta
16 ounces (uncooked)
boneless skinless chicken breast halves
4 (cut into bite-sized pieces)
olive oil
4 tablespoons (for sautéing)
garlic cloves
3 (minced)
salt
1 1/4 teaspoons (to taste)
garlic powder
1 1/4 teaspoons (to taste)
dried basil
1 1/4 teaspoons
dried oregano
1 1/4 teaspoons
sun-dried tomato
1 cup (chopped)
Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup (grated (optional))
Instructions
1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rotini pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2
In a large skillet or pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces and sauté until they start to brown and are cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
3
Add the minced garlic, salt, garlic powder, dried basil, and dried oregano to the chicken, stirring well to combine. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the garlic is fragrant.
4
Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
5
Remove the pan from the heat and carefully toss the cooked pasta with the chicken mixture until evenly combined.
6
Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Herbed Chicken and Rotini Pasta Delight?
It is a flavorful weeknight dish featuring tender chicken, aromatic herbs, and sun-dried tomatoes tossed with hearty rotini pasta.
What type of pasta is required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 16 ounces of rotini pasta, cooked until al dente.
How should I prepare the chicken?
Use 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves and cut them into bite-sized pieces before cooking.
What is the best way to cook the chicken for this dish?
Sauté the chicken pieces in olive oil over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until they are browned and cooked through.
Which oil should be used for sautéing?
The recipe recommends using 4 tablespoons of olive oil.
What seasonings are used for the chicken?
The chicken is seasoned with salt, garlic powder, dried basil, and dried oregano.
How much garlic is in this recipe?
The recipe uses 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 1/4 teaspoons of garlic powder.
When do I add the garlic and herbs?
Add the minced garlic and dried herbs after the chicken has browned, then cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Are sun-dried tomatoes used in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe includes 1 cup of chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
How long should I cook the sun-dried tomatoes?
Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for approximately 2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Is there a garnish recommended for this pasta?
Yes, you can garnish the hot pasta with 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
What does 'al dente' mean for the rotini?
It means cooking the pasta so that it is still firm to the bite, following the package instructions.
Is this dish considered a quick meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a quick meal and an easy recipe, ideal for busy weeknight dinners.
Can I adjust the amount of salt?
Yes, the recipe suggests 1 1/4 teaspoons of salt, but it can be adjusted to your personal taste.
What is the flavor profile of this dish?
It is a symphony of flavors featuring aromatic dried herbs and savory sun-dried tomatoes.
How do I combine the pasta and chicken?
Once the chicken mixture is ready, remove the pan from heat and toss it with the cooked, drained pasta.
What type of chicken breast is best?
The recipe specifically calls for boneless skinless chicken breast halves.
Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried?
While the recipe specifies dried basil and oregano, you can substitute fresh herbs, though you may need to increase the quantity.
Is this recipe suitable for families?
Yes, it is described as a hearty meal that is sure to be a hit with the whole family.
Should the sun-dried tomatoes be chopped?
Yes, the 1 cup of sun-dried tomatoes should be chopped before adding them to the skillet.
What heat level should I use for the skillet?
Medium heat is recommended for heating the olive oil and sautéing the chicken.
Is this an Italian-style recipe?
Yes, it features classic Italian ingredients like pasta, basil, oregano, and Parmesan.
How much dried basil is needed?
The recipe requires 1 1/4 teaspoons of dried basil.
How much dried oregano is needed?
The recipe requires 1 1/4 teaspoons of dried oregano.
Can I use a different pasta shape?
While rotini is used in this recipe, other short pasta shapes like fusilli or penne would work well.
Is the Parmesan cheese mandatory?
No, the 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese is listed as optional.
What makes the chicken tender in this dish?
Sautéing bite-sized pieces in olive oil helps keep the chicken tender and flavorful.
Should I drain the pasta before adding it to the chicken?
Yes, the rotini should be boiled, drained, and set aside before being tossed with the chicken mixture.
How many chicken breast halves are used?
The recipe uses 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves.
What should I do if the garlic starts to burn?
Ensure you only cook the garlic for 2-3 minutes as directed and keep the mixture moving to prevent burning.