Goat Cheese Pasta

About This Recipe

Easy 30-minute goat cheese pasta made with chicken, tons of fresh veggies, and a simple creamy goat cheese sauce. A light yet comforting dish packed with protein, carbs, and healthy fats for a well-balanced meal.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces rigatoni pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 4 cups broccoli florets ((250 grams))
• 2 cups diced bell pepper ((260 grams))
• 3 packed cups kale, roughly chopped ((75 grams))
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved ((150 grams))
• salt and pepper, to taste
• optional toppings: fresh herbs, goat cheese, red pepper flakes
• 1 cup pasta water ((from cooking your pasta))
• 5 ounces goat cheese ((1 heaping cup))
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to the instructions. When draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta water, which will be used to make the sauce.
2. Cook the chicken. When the water is starting to heat up, you’ll start cooking your chicken and veggies. It takes about 17-20 minutes to cook everything else, so start cooking according to how long it takes your pasta to cook. Add oil to a large nonstick skillet over medium heat and let it get hot. Add garlic and saute for 30 seconds, until fragrant. Then add chicken and salt and pepper and saute for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the pan and set aside.
3. Cook the veggies. In the same pan with the remaining chicken juices, add broccoli and salt and pepper and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add peppers and salt and pepper and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Finally, add chopped kale and saute for another 1-2 minutes. Turn down the heat to low.
4. Make the sauce. Drain pasta, saving at least 1 cup of the pasta water. Add to a jar and add your goat cheese, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Mix until goat cheese kind of melts and becomes creamy. It will be a little runny but will thicken up when you add it back to the pan.
5. Assemble. Add cooked pasta, cooked chicken and juices, and goat cheese sauce to the pan. Mix well to combine and let warm through, about 1 minute. Add cherry tomatoes and carefully mix to combine.
6. Enjoy! Top with fresh herbs and enjoy!