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.
Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Total
25 min
Makes
2 servings
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthWell-nourished skin
Support from the whole plate
Regular meals with enough protein, plants and fats support overall nourishment. Think consistency, not one miracle ingredient.
Notice: consistency + hydration
Comfortably satisfied
Fullness that has staying power
This meal is designed to feel substantial, so finishing it can feel like the meal is complete rather than the start of an evening of grazing.
Notice: fullness 2–3 hours later
Steadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Total
25 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
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
Instructions
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.
Look for: tender
Tap card to mark done - 02
Heat the olive oil in a large…
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.
Look for: golden brown and cooked through
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.
Look for: 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.
Look for: 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.
Look for: 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.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
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