Chicken & Cherry Tomato Pesto Penne
A comforting Italian-American classic featuring tender chicken, burst cherry tomatoes, and flavorful basil pesto. Packed with healthy fats and protein to keep you satisfied and glowing.
The perimenopause lens
A cautious perimenopause lens
These tags explain why the recipe may appear in Lila. They are prompts for noticing your own patterns—not evidence that this meal treats a symptom.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthSkin changes
Look beyond one ingredient
Hydration, overall nutrition and health context matter more than crediting a single food or supplement.
Track: skin changes + routine
Appetite changes
Notice patterns without judgment
One meal does not determine body weight. Look at fullness, energy and repeatable eating patterns over time instead.
Track: fullness + meal rhythm
Low energy
Check how the whole meal lands
Food is one part of energy. Notice meal timing, sleep and symptoms together rather than assigning the result to one nutrient.
Track: energy 1–3 hours later
Fatigue
Separate a pattern from one day
Notice energy alongside sleep, meals and symptoms across several days. Ongoing fatigue deserves a clinical conversation.
Track: energy + previous night
Before you start
Your 25-minute game plan
Gather everything first, then tap ingredients and steps as you go.
Equipment
Large skillet · Knife and cutting board
Time saver
To avoid wasting pesto, freeze any leftover sauce in an ice cube tray. Once solid, transfer the cubes to a freezer bag for easy, portioned use later.
Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
From Your Pantry
Cook along
One clear step at a time
0 of 6 steps complete
Next: Bring a medium pot of salted water…
- 01
Bring a medium pot of salted water…
Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook according to the package directions until tender. Reserve a small splash of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
Tap card to mark done - 02
While the pasta is cooking
While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, adding them to the pan. Cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Tap card to mark done - 03
Reduce the heat to medium and toss…
Reduce the heat to medium and toss in the cherry tomatoes. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until they begin to soften and burst, releasing their sweet juices into the pan.
Tap card to mark done - 04
Stir the fresh baby spinach into the…
Stir the fresh baby spinach into the skillet, cooking for just about 1 minute until lightly wilted.
Tap card to mark done - 05
Add the drained penne
Add the drained penne, basil pesto, and a spoonful of the reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss everything gently until a glossy, flavorful sauce coats the chicken and pasta.
Tap card to mark done - 06
Divide the pasta evenly between two warm…
Divide the pasta evenly between two warm bowls and top with the grated Parmesan cheese.
Tap card to mark done
The nutrition underneath
Why this bowl holds together
If you want to boost the…
If you want to boost the fiber and lower the carbohydrates, swap the standard penne for a chickpea or red lentil pasta—but traditional pasta is absolutely fine here.
To avoid wasting pesto
To avoid wasting pesto, freeze any leftover sauce in an ice cube tray. Once solid, transfer the cubes to a freezer bag for easy, portioned use later.
The lycopene in tomatoes becomes much…
The lycopene in tomatoes becomes much more bioavailable to your body when heated and paired with fat, making the quick blister in olive oil highly beneficial.
Your symptoms change. Your plan should too.
One good meal is a start. Your whole week is better.
Tell Lila what you like, what you avoid and which symptoms are loud today. She’ll turn that context into meals, targets and small adjustments that fit real life.