A tasty Italian-American pasta dish called chicken primavera usually has a mix of fresh spring vegetables sautéed with chicken in a light cream or cheese sauce. “Primavera” in Italian means “spring,” which means using fresh food when it’s at its best. This bright pasta with lots of vegetables is a great way to celebrate the tastes of spring.
Ingredients in Chicken Primavera
While recipes can vary chicken primavera often contains
- Short pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or farfalle
- Chicken breast, cut into bitesize pieces
- Olive oil or butter for sautéing
- Garlic and shallots or onions
- Fresh vegetables like zucchini, asparagus, peas, broccoli, bell peppers, and/or tomatoes
- White wine or chicken broth
- Heavy cream, half and half, or cream cheese
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh herbs like parsley, basil, oregano, and/or chives
Sauce for Chicken Primavera
The sauce is an essential component that brings this dish together. It’s made by sautéing garlic and onions or shallots as a flavor base, deglazing the pan with white wine or chicken broth, then simmering in cream or cream cheese. Grated parmesan adds a savory, nutty flavor and helps thicken the sauce. Fresh herbs enhance the spring flavors.
The sauce consistency can range from a thin, brothy sauce to a thick, creamy Alfredo-like sauce. The creaminess comes from the dairy – heavy cream, half and half, or cream cheese are commonly used. For a lighter sauce, chicken or vegetable broth with just a tablespoon or two of cream is an option.
Vegetables in Chicken Primavera
When you make chicken primavera at home, you can change the vegetable medley to fit your tastes or what’s in season. Here are some commonly used vegetables:
- Asparagus – trim ends and cut into 1-2 inch pieces
- Zucchini – slice thinly or cut into half moons
- Peas – frozen peas work well
- Broccoli – cut into small florets
- Bell peppers – sliced or diced
- Cherry tomatoes – left whole or halved
- Spinach – added at the end until just wilted
- Green beans – trim ends and cut into 1-2 inch pieces
- Carrots – sliced or shredded
Bringing it All Together
To make chicken primavera, start by getting the meat and vegetables ready. Sauté the chicken and harder vegetables like broccoli and carrots, and then add the quick-cooking greens at the end. After cooking the pasta until it’s al dente, add the creamy sauce and toss everything together. It makes a sweet and fresh pasta dish that is great for spring and summer!
Quick Tips for Making Chicken Primavera
- When you cook pasta in a pan like this, you should keep moving it around so that it’s always in an even layer and mostly covered with liquid. This will help ensure it cooks evenly.
- If you want to use a different kind of pasta, make sure to find one that takes 6 to 8 minutes to cook.
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Chicken Primavera
FAQ
What is chicken primavera?
This pasta dish is light and fresh. It has spring vegetables that are only slightly cooked, tender chunks of chicken breast, pasta (of course!), and lots of tasty fresh herbs and parmesan cheese. Use a short, sturdy pasta shape for this one-pot method: cavatappi, penne, or rotini all work great!.
What is in primavera sauce?
Primavera sauce, meaning “spring sauce” in Italian, is typically a light sauce featuring fresh vegetables and herbs, often with a base of olive oil, butter, or cream.
What are some common mistakes to avoid when making Pasta Primavera?
Eight Common Pasta Cooking Mistakes and How to Avoid ThemUsing Insufficient Water. What Not to Do: . Not Salting the Water. Adding Oil to the Water. Rinsing the Pasta After Cooking. Overcooking or Undercooking Pasta. Ignoring the Sauce Timing. Choosing the Wrong Pasta Shape for the Sauce. Neglecting to Save Pasta Water.
What veggies are in primavera?
Pasta Primavera Veggies: Asparagus, zucchini, carrots, bell pepper, broccoli, sugar snap peas, cherry tomatoes, and peas are some of the vegetables that go into this dish. You can use any vegetables you like. Make sure to cut them down to a size where they cook quickly.