Description
This Chicken Zucchini Pasta Skillet is a flavorful, one-pan meal featuring Italian style chicken sausages, tender radiatore pasta, fresh zucchini, grape tomatoes, and a hint of lemon and basil. It’s a quick and easy recipe perfect for a weeknight dinner, combining hearty protein with fresh vegetables and Parmesan cheese for a satisfying dish.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 12 oz Italian Style Chicken Sausages, cut into discs
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp garlic, minced
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper, optional
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 8 oz uncooked Radiatore pasta, or any other small pasta shape
- 2 cups zucchini, chopped
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, divided
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
- 1/3 cup fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Heat the Skillet: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the sliced chicken sausages and diced onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sausages are browned and the onion is tender, about 5-7 minutes.
- Season and Sauté: Add the salt, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add Broth and Pasta: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the skillet with a spoon to release any browned bits for extra flavor. Bring the mixture to a boil, then stir in the uncooked radiatore pasta. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and cook for about 10 minutes until the pasta is mostly tender.
- Add Zucchini: Add the chopped zucchini to the skillet. Continue cooking for an additional 3 minutes until the zucchini is tender and most of the chicken broth is absorbed by the pasta.
- Finish with Lemon and Cheese: Stir in the lemon juice, 3 tablespoons of the grated Parmesan cheese, and the halved grape tomatoes. Mix well off the heat.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat, then top with the fresh chopped basil and the remaining 1 tablespoon of Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy your colorful, wholesome meal!
Notes
- You can substitute chicken sausage with turkey sausage or a vegetarian sausage alternative.
- If you prefer spicier dishes, increase the crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
- For a lower sodium option, use low-sodium chicken broth.
- Fresh basil can be replaced with parsley or oregano if preferred.
- Any small pasta shape can be swapped in if radiatore is unavailable.
- To make this dish gluten free, use gluten-free pasta.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
