Hi guys! I really enjoyed making this chicken with veggie recipe and I think you’ll like it too. It’s a really easy dish to prepare that is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. I serve this over brown rice, but it would go great with pasta or even mashed potatoes.
Today we will have a recipe for a chicken with veggies. It is one unusual meal which everybody can love. You can learn how to make this simple but tasty dinner.
EASY PESTO CHICKEN AND VEGETABLES
$11.07 RECIPE / $2.77 SERVING
Are you ready for this? Because I wasn’t quite ready for how easy and delicious this meal was. When I sat down to eat my first bowl of these Pesto Chicken and Vegetables I was like, “Oh yes, I’m going to make this every single week.” It’s the perfect light, flavorful, and fast recipe for meal prep. And it’s just SO SIMPLE.
VEGETABLE OPTIONS
I used a summery mix of yellow squash, zucchini, red bell pepper, green beans, and red onion for this quick sauté, but there are a lot of options when it comes to the vegetables. Here are some other vegetables you could add:
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Grape tomatoes
- Mushrooms
- Fresh corn
- Asparagus
- Spinach
The key thing to keep in mind when using different vegetables is when to add them to the skillet. For this recipe you don’t want to fully cook the vegetables. They should be just tender-crisp. So, keeping that in mind, add sturdy vegetables first and tender vegetables later to make sure they don’t get overcooked.
PESTO CHICKEN AND VEGETABLES VIDEO
Easy Pesto Chicken and Vegetables
CAN I SUBSTITUTE THE CHICKEN?
Yes, there are options for that, too! I think shrimp would be absolutely awesome in this recipe, as would tofu. If using tofu, I would do a cornstarch coating and fry it separately (see the technique used in this recipe) before tossing it together with the vegetables and pesto at the end.
HOW TO SERVE PESTO CHICKEN AND VEGETABLES
I ate this dish as-is, just a bowl of flavorful chicken and vegetables. But there are more options! You could eat this over a bowl of rice, stir in some cooked orzo or quinoa, or even add them to a bed of greens. Honestly, I would probably even add them to a flat bread and top with mozzarella as a sort of vegetable pizza!
HOW LONG DOES IT STAY GOOD?
I got about four days out of my pesto chicken and vegetables, but this can vary depending on the conditions in your refrigerator, freshness of the ingredients, and how long you cook the vegetables. As I mentioned above, you want to barely cook the vegetables for this recipe. Just make them tender-crisp so they don’t get too wilted. Not only does this give them great texture and a fresh, bright flavor, but they last a little longer in the fridge, too.
EASY PESTO CHICKEN AND VEGETABLES
This Easy Pesto Chicken and Vegetables meal prep is super fast and easy, and holds up well in the fridge for tasty lunches all week!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Servings: 1.5 cups each
INGREDIENTS
- 1 red bell pepper ($1.50)
- 1 zucchini ($0.60)
- 1 yellow squash ($0.50)
- 1/2 red onion ($0.19)
- 1.3 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breast ($6.67)
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil ($0.08)
- 1 cup frozen green beans ($0.67)
- 1/3 cup pesto* ($0.73)
- 1/8 tsp salt* ($0.01)
- 1/8 tsp freshly cracked pepper* ($0.01)
- 1 Tbsp grated Parmesan* ($0.11)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Chop the bell pepper, yellow squash, and zucchini, and slice the red onion. I like to make different shapes for each vegetable, but aim to make the pieces all around the same size.
- Cube the chicken breasts into ½-inch pieces.
- Add the cooking oil to a large skillet and heat over medium-high. Once the skillet and oil are very hot, add the chicken and sauté until the chicken pieces are opaque (3-5 minutes – the chicken will continue to cook as you add vegetables).
- Add the green beans to the skillet and sauté for 1-2 minutes more, or just until thawed.
- Add the bell pepper and red onion to the skillet. Sauté for 1-2 minutes more. If water is beginning to pool in the skillet, turn the heat up slightly. It should be hot enough that the water released from the vegetables evaporates quickly.
- Add the yellow squash and zucchini to the skillet and continue to sauté 2-3 minutes more, or just until the squash softens slightly.
- Turn the heat off, add the pesto to the skillet, and stir until everything is coated. Give the vegetables a taste and add salt, pepper, or more pesto if desired. Top with a light sprinkle of Parmesan just before serving.
NOTES
*You may need more or less pesto, salt, pepper, or Parmesan depending on the volume of your vegetables and your personal taste.
Lemon Chicken & Veggie Pasta
Looking for a fresh new recipe to add to your weeknight rotation? Try this Lemon Chicken & Veggie Pasta! This simple, veggie-packed pasta dish is ready in just 30 minutes for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. Filled with chicken, broccoli, carrots, onions and tomatoes, this pasta is topped with a little lemon juice, olive oil and Parmesan cheese for a dish the whole family will be asking for again.
I don’t know about you but sometimes I run out of ideas on what to make for our busy weeknight meals. Between school, homework, practice, and grocery shopping, coming up with quick meals is a must. This Lemon Chicken & Veggie Pasta is perfect for those kind of nights. This pasta is healthy, easy to make, and loaded with flavor. This is great for Spring or Summer since it is a lighter pasta dish. Of course you can make it all year long if you are a pasta lover like me!
Nutrition Tip:Onions and garlic both add loads of flavor–without any sodium. They’re also members of the same family and have compounds that help fight cancer and lower blood pressure.
Key Ingredients for this Lemon Chicken & Veggie Pasta
- Chicken
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Carrots
- Onion
- Tomatoes
- Pasta
- Lemon
- Parmesan Cheese
I mean just listen to those ingredients! So refreshing. I love adding broccoli into pasta. And the zesty lemon flavors made this a win for the entire family (kids included). This pasta is loaded with protein, fiber, Vitamins A & C, and antioxidants. Of course all of these veggies are loaded with wonderful healthy benefits for our bodies and minds!
How to make this Easy Lemon Chicken Pasta with Vegetables
Step 1: Cook the pasta
First cook the pasta according to instructions and set aside.
Step 2: Cook the chicken
Next heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add in the chicken and cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Step #3: Cook the vegetables
Return the skillet to heat. Add in 1 Tbsp. oil, the broccoli, garlic, carrot and onions. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until the veggies are tender-crisp.
Step 4: Mix in all ingredients
Then stir in the chicken, tomatoes, and some salt. Cook for about 3 minutes, or until the chicken is heated and tomatoes soften. Stir in the cooked pasta and lemon juice. Sprinkle with the cheese and parsley. Serve hot and enjoy!
Additions & Substitutions:
- Need a meatless dinner idea? Just leave out the chicken for a vegetarian option.
- You can swap out any of your favorite pastas including whole wheat, gluten free, or veggie noodles, too.
- Other vegetables that would taste great would be some red bell peppers, asparagus, and artichoke hearts.
- You could always make this pasta with some salmon or shrimp, too!
GREEK SHEET PAN CHICKEN
Greek sheet pan chicken is an all-in-one meal with succulent chicken thighs nestled around vibrant, caramelized vegetables. Just give it a pop in the oven and you’ve got one heck of a dinner ready to serve!
Let me just start by saying this is one of my all-time favorite sheet pan recipes. It’s the ultimate combination of vibrant summer vegetables and juicy, golden chicken thighs. But the best part is that everything is doused in the best Greek flavors. And I’m talking oregano, thyme, garlic, zesty lemon, and of course, pops of olives and feta cheese.
It’s snappy to make and the clean-up is minimal, which makes it an ideal weeknight dinner idea. Trust me, when you’ve got a chicken recipe as easy and flavorful as this, it’s sure to become a part of your regular dinner rotation!
WHAT’S IN THIS SHEET PAN DINNER?
What really makes this recipe is the bright and bold Greek chicken marinade. It adds a ton of flavor to an otherwise simple chicken dinner. Here’s what you’ll need to fill up the sheet pan.
- Chicken Thighs: Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are the best for super juicy and tender meat.
- Vegetables: I’m using a combination of zucchini, bell pepper, red onion, and tomatoes. But keep reading for a few more veggie substitutions!
- Dried Herbs: A blend of oregano and thyme are classic flavors used in Greek dishes.
- Lemon, Olive Oil & Dijon Mustard: The trifecta that makes the zesty, bold base for the chicken marinade.
- Olives & Feta Cheese: It’s not a Greek recipe without olives and creamy feta!
- Fresh Herbs: A sprinkle of parsley always adds the perfect herbal pop.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
HOW TO MAKE THIS GREEK SHEET PAN CHICKEN
Once you’ve got all your veggies chopped up, the rest comes easy! First, preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C), then get your thighs prepped for marinating.
- Make the marinade. Whisk together the oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, thyme, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Marinating time! Place the chicken thighs in a bowl and pour ⅔ of the marinade on top. Use your hands to toss the chicken until it’s well coated. Then let it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Prep the vegetables. Spread the zucchini, bell pepper, red onion, and tomatoes onto the baking sheet, drizzle the remaining marinade on top, and toss it all together.
- Bake time. Place the chicken thighs onto the baking sheet, in between the veggies, and bake for 30 minutes.
- Add in the good stuff. Remove the baking sheet from the oven, sprinkle the olives and feta cheese on top, then place it back in the oven for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the chicken is golden and cooked through.
- Garnish and serve. As always, a sprinkle of chopped parsley makes everything look and taste better!
A FEW QUESTIONS ANSWERED
- Can you use chicken breast? Because of the longer cooking time to get the vegetables perfectly caramelized, it’s best to use bone-in chicken thighs. Baked chicken breasts only need about 20 to 25 minutes to cook before they start to dry out.
- What other vegetables can be substituted? If you’re not in squash season, you can substitute it with potato wedges or artichokes.
WAYS TO SERVE THIS GREEK CHICKEN
When I want a light and healthy meal, this chicken and veggie combo is perfect. But if you’re looking to beef this up a bit, here’s a few ways to do it!
- Whip up some rice to pair with it on the side, and you can choose white rice, brown rice, or wild rice.
- Serve over a bed of black or green lentils for a Mediterranean flair.
STORING LEFTOVERS
This is one dish where you’re going to be looking forward to leftovers. They taste just as amazing the next day!
- To store: You can store any leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.
- To freeze: Add leftovers to a freezer-safe container and it will keep for up to 3 months.
- For reheating: Just add a portion to a plate and microwave it for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the chicken and vegetables are warmed through.