Easy Lazy Girl Dinner
A quick and comforting pasta dinner featuring pre-cooked chicken and a medley of vegetables, ready in under 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz Pasta (any shape) Penne, rotini, or spaghetti work well.
- 2 cups Pre-cooked chicken Rotisserie, deli-roasted, or leftover cooked chicken.
- 2 cups Vegetables Fresh broccoli florets, sliced bell peppers, or frozen veggie mix.
- 1-2 tbsp Olive oil Extra virgin for finishing or regular for cooking.
- 1-3 cloves Garlic, minced Adjust according to taste.
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated Or Pecorino.
- to taste Salt Freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Instructions
Cooking the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1/4 cup of pasta water before draining.
Stir-Frying Ingredients
- While the pasta cooks, heat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30-60 seconds until fragrant; don’t let it brown.
- Add the pre-cooked chicken (torn or cubed) and your vegetables. Stir-fry for 5-7 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp and the chicken is heated through.
- If using frozen vegetables, add them straight from the bag and give an extra minute or two.
Combining and Serving
- Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet. Toss to combine, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if the mixture seems dry.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, then sprinkle generously with Parmesan and toss again.
- Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
For variations, you can swap in whole-wheat or gluten-free pasta, use firm tofu or chickpeas for a vegetarian option, or mix in different veggies per your preference. Serve it with a lemon wedge or a sprinkle of chili flakes for added flavor.