Vibrant Chicken Penne Fiesta
Experience a delightful fusion of Italian and Mexican cuisines with this Vibrant Chicken Penne Fiesta! This one-dish wonder combines tender chicken strips with a colorful array of fresh vegetables, succulent olives, and hearty penne pasta. Spices like cumin and crushed red pepper bring a satisfying kick to this family-friendly meal, while the sweetness from corn and the brightness of fresh herbs add depth of flavor. Quick and easy to prepare, it’s perfect for busy weeknights and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that ensures everyone gets their veggies!
N/A
Servings
647
Calories
24
Ingredients
Ingredients
Boneless Chicken Breasts
4 (cut into thin strips)
Salt
1 teaspoon
Black Pepper
1/4 teaspoon
Sweet Corn
2 (15 ounce) cans (drained)
Sweet Red Pepper
1 large (diced into 1/2-inch pieces)
Zucchini
2 medium (unpeeled and diced into 1/2-inch pieces)
Olive Oil
4 tablespoons
Butter
2 tablespoons
Fresh Garlic Cloves
4 (finely minced or pressed)
Onion
1 large (quartered and sliced thin)
Carrot
1 (grated)
Celery Ribs
2 (cut on diagonal)
Dried Oregano
1 tablespoon
Dried Basil
1 tablespoon
Garlic Powder
1 teaspoon
Onion Powder
1 teaspoon
Brown Sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons
Ground Cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons
Worcestershire Sauce
1 teaspoon
Hot Pepper Flakes
1/2 teaspoon
Pitted Black Olives
1 (8 ounce) can (drained and sliced)
Tomato Sauce
1 (8 ounce) can
White Vinegar
1 teaspoon
Penne Pasta
1 lb
Instructions
1
Slice the boneless chicken breasts into thin strips and place them in a bowl. Season with salt, black pepper, and two cloves of pressed garlic. Cover the bowl and let marinate for 30 minutes.
2
In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Brown the marinated chicken strips until they are golden and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan using a slotted spoon and transfer to a clean bowl, leaving the juices in the pan.
3
In the same pan, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, sliced onions, and minced garlic. Sauté for 2 minutes until the onions soften.
4
Sprinkle in the ground cumin and hot pepper flakes, stirring for an additional 2 minutes to release their flavors.
5
Next, add the drained corn, diagonal-cut celery, diced red peppers, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and white vinegar. Stir well to deglaze the pan, scraping up any flavorful bits, and cook for another 2 minutes.
6
Incorporate the tomato sauce, grated carrot, and sliced black olives into the mixture. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil, oregano, and return the cooked chicken along with any juices from the bowl into the pan.
7
Cover the pan and cook over medium heat for 15-20 minutes, or until the peppers and zucchini reach your preferred tenderness.
8
Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
9
Remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons of cold butter to smooth out the sauce.
10
Meanwhile, cook the penne pasta according to package instructions, drain, and toss with the vibrant sauce. Serve hot.
Nutrition Information
21g
Fat
73.3g
Carbs
31.5g
Protein
5g
Fiber
3.3g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vibrant Chicken Penne Fiesta?
It is a one-dish fusion meal that combines Italian and Mexican cuisines using tender chicken, colorful vegetables, and penne pasta.
What cuisines are fused in this recipe?
This recipe is a delightful fusion of Italian and Mexican cuisines.
How long should the chicken be marinated?
The chicken should be covered and marinated for 30 minutes with salt, pepper, and garlic.
What spices give this dish its kick?
Cumin and crushed red pepper flakes provide a satisfying kick to the meal.
What vegetables are included in the recipe?
The dish features sweet corn, red peppers, zucchini, onions, carrots, and celery.
How should the chicken be prepared before cooking?
The boneless chicken breasts should be sliced into thin strips.
What is the recommended pasta for this dish?
One pound of penne pasta is recommended for this recipe.
How should the zucchini be cut?
The zucchini should be left unpeeled and diced into 1/2-inch pieces.
What role does butter play in the sauce?
Two tablespoons of cold butter are stirred in at the end to smooth out the sauce.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 647 calories.
How much protein is in the Vibrant Chicken Penne Fiesta?
There are 31.5 grams of protein per serving.
What type of olives are used?
The recipe calls for one 8-ounce can of pitted black olives, drained and sliced.
How do you deglaze the pan?
The pan is deglazed by adding corn, celery, peppers, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and vinegar while scraping up the flavorful bits.
How many cloves of garlic are needed?
The recipe uses four cloves of fresh garlic: two for the marinade and two for the sauce.
What herbs are used for seasoning?
The sauce is seasoned with one tablespoon each of dried oregano and dried basil.
How long do you simmer the sauce?
The sauce should be covered and cooked over medium heat for 15-20 minutes.
What is the fat content of this dish?
The dish contains 21 grams of fat per serving.
How much fiber does this meal provide?
This recipe provides 5 grams of fiber per serving.
What type of tomato product is required?
The recipe uses one 8-ounce can of tomato sauce.
How should the carrot be prepared?
One carrot should be grated before being incorporated into the sauce.
What is the carbohydrate content per serving?
There are 73.3 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How do you slice the celery for this dish?
Two celery ribs should be cut on a diagonal.
What kind of sugar is added to the sauce?
The recipe calls for 1.5 tablespoons of brown sugar.
How much sugar is in the final dish?
The nutritional data shows 3.3 grams of sugar per serving.
How should the onion be sliced?
One large onion should be quartered and then sliced thin.
What kind of oil is used for browning the chicken?
Olive oil is used to brown the chicken and sauté the aromatics.
Is this recipe suitable for busy weeknights?
Yes, it is described as a quick and easy-to-prepare meal perfect for busy weeknights.
How do you finish the dish?
Cook the penne according to package instructions, drain, and toss with the vibrant sauce before serving hot.
What provides the acidity in the sauce?
White vinegar and Worcestershire sauce provide the necessary acidity to balance the flavors.
How long does it take to brown the chicken?
The marinated chicken strips should be browned for about 5-7 minutes until golden and cooked through.