Arugula Chicken Pasta

A vibrant Italian-American classic for busy weeknights or elegant gatherings

⏲️ Time

Stage	Duration
Preparation	15 minutes
Cooking	20 minutes
Total	35 minutes

🛠️ Needed Equipment

4- to 5-quart stockpot (for pasta)
12-inch heavy skillet or sauté pan with lid
Sharp chef’s knife & cutting board
Fine-mesh strainer or colander
Micro-plane zester
Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
Measuring cups & spoons
Instant-read thermometer (optional, for perfect chicken)

🔖 Tags

#Chicken #Pasta #OnePan #QuickDinner #MediterraneanFlavors #WeeknightMeal

🍽️ Serving Size

Recipe yields 4 hearty main-course portions (about 2 cups each).

🎚️ Difficulty Level

Easy – beginner-friendly, no specialty techniques required.

⚠️ Allergen Information

Contains gluten (wheat pasta) and dairy (Parmesan). Nuts-free, egg-free, soy-free. Use listed substitutions to adapt for allergies.

🥗 Dietary Preference

High-protein, balanced-carb; adaptable to whole-grain, lactose-free, or gluten-free lifestyles.

🍴 Course

Main dish / one-bowl entrée

🌍 Cuisine

Contemporary Italian-American

📝 Ingredients

Ingredient	Quantity	Notes & Substitutions
Boneless skinless chicken breasts	450 g (1 lb)	Swap with thighs for extra juiciness
Kosher salt	1 ¼ tsp	Divided use
Fresh-ground black pepper	¾ tsp
Dried oregano	½ tsp	Or Italian seasoning
Extra-virgin olive oil	2 Tbsp	Divided
Garlic, minced	3 cloves
Dry white wine	90 ml (⅓ cup)	Sub chicken broth + 1 Tbsp lemon juice
Low-sodium chicken broth	180 ml (¾ cup)
Heavy cream (optional)	60 ml (¼ cup)	Omit for dairy-light version
Penne or linguine	300 g (10 oz)	Whole-wheat or GF pasta work fine
Arugula, loosely packed	120 g (4 cups)	Baby spinach as mild alternative
Cherry tomatoes, halved	200 g (1 ⅓ cups)	Adds color & sweetness
Fresh lemon zest	From 1 lemon	Bright finish
Parmesan, freshly grated	45 g (½ cup)	Use lactose-free hard cheese if needed
Red-pepper flakes	Pinch	Optional heat

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Season & Sear the Chicken
- Pat chicken dry; cut into ½-inch strips.
- Toss with ¾ tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper, and oregano.
- Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in skillet over medium-high; sear chicken 2–3 min per side until golden and thermometer reads 74 °C / 165 °F. Transfer to plate.
Cook the Pasta
- While chicken sears, bring stockpot of salted water to a rolling boil.
- Add pasta; cook 1 minute less than package al dente time. Reserve 120 ml (½ cup) pasta water; drain.
Build the Pan Sauce
- Lower skillet to medium; add remaining oil and garlic. Sauté 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Deglaze with white wine; scrape browned bits, simmer 2 minutes.
- Stir in broth and cream (if using); boil gently 3 minutes to thicken. Season with remaining salt & pepper.
Combine & Finish
- Return chicken (plus juices) to skillet.
- Add pasta, reserved pasta water, tomatoes, and red-pepper flakes. Toss 1 minute on medium-high until sauce coats noodles.
- Fold in arugula just until wilted. Remove from heat; shower with lemon zest and Parmesan.
Serve
- Plate immediately. Offer extra cheese, cracked pepper, and lemon wedges tableside.

🔧 Preparation Tips

Even Cooking: Slice chicken uniformly; thinner strips cook faster and stay tender.
Wine Quality: Choose a crisp varietal (Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc). If you won’t drink it, don’t cook with it.
Silky Sauce: The starch-rich pasta water emulsifies oil and liquids—don’t skip it.
Bitter Balance: A drizzle of honey or balsamic reduction tempers arugula’s peppery bite for sensitive palates.
Meal Prep: Cook pasta and chicken up to 24 h ahead; store separately. Finish with fresh arugula for best texture.

🍎 Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

Nutrient	Amount	% DV*
Calories	487 kcal	24 %
Protein	32 g	64 %
Total Carbohydrate	46 g	17 %
Dietary Fiber	4 g	14 %
Total Fat	18 g	23 %
Saturated Fat	5 g	25 %
Cholesterol	90 mg	30 %
Sodium	680 mg	30 %
Vitamin A	15 %
Vitamin C	18 %
Calcium	20 %
Iron	19 %

*DV = Daily Value based on a 2 000-calorie diet. Values are estimates generated from standard USDA data.

💡 Tips and Tricks

Speed Hack: Use pre-grilled rotisserie chicken; add at Step 4.
Umami Boost: Stir 1 tsp anchovy paste into the garlic for depth without fishiness.
Cream-Free Lushness: Substitute 2 Tbsp mascarpone or Greek yogurt off-heat.
Color Pop: Replace half the pasta with spiralized zucchini for a lighter, greener bowl.

➕ Add-Ons

Idea	Portion	Flavor Impact
Sun-dried tomatoes	¼ cup julienned	Sweet–tangy richness
Toasted pine nuts	2 Tbsp	Crunch & nutty aroma
Crumbled feta	¼ cup	Briny contrast
Kalamata olives	⅓ cup sliced	Salty Mediterranean punch

🍞 Side Dishes

Garlic-herb focaccia – perfect for mopping up sauce.
Lemon-parmesan asparagus – roasts in the same 20 minutes.
Simple arugula-pear salad – echoes peppery greens while adding freshness.
Chilled Pinot Grigio – mirrors wine notes in the sauce.

🔄 Improvements & Variations

Goal	Swap / Technique
Gluten-Free	Use brown-rice penne or chickpea pasta.
Low-Carb / Keto	Replace pasta with shirataki fettuccine; thicken sauce with cream cheese.
Dairy-Free	Omit Parmesan; finish with nutritional yeast and extra EVOO.
Extra Veggie	Stir in grilled zucchini coins or sautéed mushrooms.
Spicy Lovers	Double pepper flakes and add 1 tsp Calabrian chili paste.

🧊 Save & Store

Refrigerate: Cool completely; store in airtight glass container up to 3 days.
Freeze: Portion into freezer-safe bags, lay flat; keeps 2 months. Thaw overnight in fridge.
Reheat: Splash with broth; warm gently on stove, stirring until hot. Avoid microwave overheating which toughens chicken. Arugula will wilt further but flavor remains excellent.

❓ FAQ

Q 1: Can I cook everything in one pot?
Yes. Boil pasta first, drain, then use the same pot to build sauce; fewer dishes, same flavor.

Q 2: What wine pairs best?
The dry white you used in cooking—Pinot Grigio or Vermentino—complements the lemony, herbal notes.

Q 3: Can I substitute spinach for arugula?
Absolutely. Baby spinach gives a milder taste; add at Step 4 and wilt just 30 seconds.

Q 4: How do I keep chicken juicy?
Do not overcook; pull it from heat at 74 °C /165 °F internal temperature and rest briefly before slicing.

Q 5: Is this recipe meal-prep friendly?
Yes—store components separately and combine with fresh greens for lunches. Keeps texture vibrant.

🔚 Conclusion

Arugula Chicken Pasta embodies the spirit of modern Italian-American comfort food: swift to prepare, brimming with bright flavors, and endlessly adaptable. The peppery snap of arugula, tender golden chicken, and a glossy garlic-wine sauce unite in a bowl that feels both wholesome and indulgent. Whether you’re hosting friends or fueling a midweek family dinner, this reliable recipe earns a permanent spot in your culinary repertoire—ready to evolve with seasonal produce and personal taste. Buon appetito!