This Weeknight-Friendly Pasta Recipe Only Takes 30 Minutes And One Pot

Easy Swaps and Substitutions

Although this dish is delightful as-is, here are some of my go-to variations:

Add blue cheese — Feeling wild? Go bold by stirring in a sprinkle of crumbled blue cheese.

Swap the chicken for shrimp or sausage — I love using a mix of sweet and spicy Italian chicken sausage.

Give it a Tuscan summer vibe — Because I’m perpetually daydreaming of Tuscany, I sometimes toss in basil and sun-dried tomatoes, especially as the summer season nears.

Go green — Add a handful of spinach, arugula, or kale for a bit of color, crunch, and extra nutrients.

Zest it, baby — Brighten the dish up even more by grating in some lemon zest. It’s a wonderful way to utilize every part of that lemon you’ve just juiced.

Pack it with veggies — Sauté some sliced mushrooms with your chicken to give this dish that umami oomph, or add chopped zucchini.

Switch up your pasta — Penne, ziti, fusilli, or even wide, flat pappardelle work beautifully with this dish. Just adjust the simmer time as needed.