Zesty Chicken & Veggie Pasta Medley
Indulge in a delightful fusion of flavors with this Zesty Chicken & Veggie Pasta Medley! Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this vibrant dish features tender penne or rigatoni pasta tossed with colorful vegetables, aromatic garlic, and ginger, all brought together by savory soy sauce and a hint of heat from crushed red pepper. If you've got leftover chicken or beef, feel free to incorporate it for a heartier meal. This quick-to-make, flavorful dish is topped with freshly grated Parmesan and a sprinkle of cilantro, making it a wholesome and satisfying option for any mealtime.
5
Servings
70
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Penne or Rigatoni Pasta
4 ounces (uncooked)
Sesame Oil
1 teaspoon (for tossing with pasta)
Purple Onion
1 small (chopped)
Carrots
2 medium (scraped and diagonally sliced)
Zucchini
2 medium (halved and sliced)
Garlic
2 cloves (pressed)
Gingerroot
1.5 teaspoons (peeled and grated)
Dry Crushed Red Pepper
1/2 teaspoon (for seasoning)
Soy Sauce
2 tablespoons
Rice Wine Vinegar
2 teaspoons
Olive Oil
as needed (for cooking)
Sesame Oil
1.5 tablespoons (for cooking)
Parmesan Cheese
1 tablespoon (freshly grated)
Fresh Cilantro
2 teaspoons (chopped)
Instructions
1
Begin by cooking the pasta according to the package instructions. Once done, drain it and toss with 1 teaspoon of sesame oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
2
In a large wok or skillet, heat olive oil and 1-1/2 tablespoons of sesame oil over high heat for about 1 minute, allowing the oil to coat the sides of the pan.
3
Add the chopped purple onion and diagonally sliced carrots to the heated wok. Stir continuously for about 2 minutes or until the onion becomes tender and translucent.
4
Next, introduce the halved and sliced zucchini, pressed garlic, grated ginger, and crushed red pepper. Stir-fry for an additional minute, ensuring the aromatics combine beautifully.
5
Gently fold in the cooked pasta, soy sauce, and rice wine vinegar. Continue cooking for another minute, stirring frequently until everything is heated through and well mixed.
6
Transfer the medley to a serving dish, then finish off with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped cilantro for a burst of color and flavor. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
2g
Fat
10g
Carbs
2.4g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Zesty Chicken & Veggie Pasta Medley?
It is a vibrant fusion dish featuring penne or rigatoni pasta tossed with colorful vegetables, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and a hint of red pepper.
What type of pasta should I use?
The recipe calls for 4 ounces of uncooked penne or rigatoni pasta.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 5 servings.
What are the calories per serving?
Each serving contains 70 calories.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, the base recipe is vegetarian-friendly, though you can add meat if desired.
Can I add meat to this dish?
Yes, the recipe suggests adding leftover chicken or beef to create a heartier meal.
How do I prevent the pasta from sticking?
After cooking and draining the pasta, toss it with 1 teaspoon of sesame oil.
What vegetables are included in the medley?
The dish includes purple onion, carrots, and zucchini.
How should the carrots be prepared?
The carrots should be scraped and diagonally sliced.
How do I cut the zucchini?
The zucchini should be halved and then sliced.
What provides the heat in this recipe?
A 1/2 teaspoon of dry crushed red pepper adds a hint of heat.
What aromatics are used for flavor?
The dish uses pressed garlic and freshly grated gingerroot.
What type of onion is recommended?
A small purple onion, chopped, is used for this recipe.
What sauces are used in the mixture?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and 2 teaspoons of rice wine vinegar.
What oils are needed for stir-frying?
You will need olive oil and 1.5 tablespoons of sesame oil for cooking.
How is the dish garnished?
It is topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh cilantro.
Is this a quick meal to prepare?
Yes, it is designed as a quick weeknight dinner and is tagged as taking 30 minutes or less.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 2 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in each serving?
Each serving contains 10 grams of carbohydrates.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving provides 2.4 grams of protein.
How much ginger is required?
The recipe calls for 1.5 teaspoons of peeled and grated gingerroot.
How much Parmesan cheese is used?
One tablespoon of freshly grated Parmesan cheese is used for the entire dish.
What heat level should I use for the wok?
The wok or skillet should be heated over high heat.
How long should I stir-fry the onion and carrots?
Stir-fry them for about 2 minutes or until the onion becomes tender and translucent.
When do I add the garlic and ginger?
Add the garlic, ginger, and red pepper after the onion and carrots have softened, then stir-fry for one minute.
How much cilantro is used?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of chopped fresh cilantro.
Can I use any other type of pasta?
While penne and rigatoni are suggested, similar short pasta shapes could also work.
Is this a one-pot dish?
It is tagged as a one-pot dish, although the pasta is cooked first separately before being combined in the wok.
What is the final cooking step?
The final step is to fold in the pasta, soy sauce, and vinegar, cooking for one more minute until heated through.
Is the ginger prepared in a specific way?
Yes, the gingerroot should be peeled and grated before being added to the pan.