I shared with you guys last week that I was embarking on the #EatFreshChallenge as part of a sponsored campaign with Cooking Planit Eat Fresh Challenge with Colavita. After using the Cooking Planit Meal Planning app for an entire week, I have a more thorough understanding of the app and the Cooking Planit program in general...and a great new Creamy Chicken Pasta recipe to share with you guys!
Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe
If you haven't tried meal planning before, then you're probably a lot like me. I have always liked the idea of meal planning but I didn't like the searching for recipe ideas, being stuck having to cook something when I wasn't in the mood, trying to find things that the entire family would enjoy...but after a while, scrambling to come up with dinner after a long day gets old. Real old.
While my first week of meal planning wasn't exactly perfect, it was much better than my usual "What's for dinner?" routine! I actually planned out my menu for the week using the Cooking Planit app while I was getting a pedicure on Sunday. The Cooking Planit meal planning app has so many features to help you plan your menu, browse for recipe ideas, creating grocery lists - I tell you, it's a game changer! You can also use the Cooking Planit website.
Oh, but about that Creamy Chicken Pasta recipe? Yeah, it was delicious!
This recipe is a slightly changed version of the Creamy Chicken Pasta Soup recipe in the Cooking Planit recipe database. Angeline isn't a fan of soup, so I just tweaked the soup recipe a bit by adding more pasta so that it became pasta with a heavy cream sauce. I loved the combination of pasta, chicken and veggies - I also increased the veggie content to make it a more balanced meal, as we weren't eating with the side recommended in the meal planner.
How to Make this Creamy Chicken Pasta recipe
Cooking Planit Meal Planning App - Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe #EatFreshChallenge
Ingredients
- Carrots — 1 Cup
- Celery — 3⁄4 Cup
- Fresh Parsley — 2 Tablespoons
- Fresh Thyme — 4 Sprigs
- Garlic — 2 Cloves
- Onions — 1⁄2 Cup
- Chicken Tenders Boneless — 6 Ounces
- Butter Unsalted — 2 Tablespoons
- Heavy Cream — 2 Cups
- Tagliatelle Pasta — 3 Cups
- Chicken Stock Low Sodium — 2 ½ Cups
- Frozen Peas — 1 Cup
- Black Pepper and salt to taste
- Dried Bay Leaves — 2
- Dried Sage — 1⁄2 Teaspoon
- Flour — 2 Tablespoons
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil — 2 Tablespoons
- Dry White Wine — 1 Cup
Instructions
- Cut an onion into ¼ inch dice to measure the indicated amount.
- Peel carrots and cut into ¼ inch pieces to measure the indicated amount. Add to the onions.
- Cut celery into ¼ inch dice to measure the indicated amount. Add to carrots and onions.
- Smash the garlic under the side of your chef's knife to remove the peel. Mince the garlic, then add to celery, carrots and onions.
- Trim parsley leaves from the stems and finely chop to measure the indicated amount.
- Cut chicken into ½ inch diced pieces, then season with salt and pepper.
- Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and warm.
- Once oil is warm, add the chicken. Oil should sizzle when you add the chicken. Sear until golden brown and nicely caramelized, stirring as it cooks to brown evenly, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a clean plate. Save the pot.
- Place the chicken pot back over medium heat. There should be enough oil to cover bottom of pot. If not, add more olive oil and warm.
- Once oil is warm, add garlic, onions, carrots, celery and dried sage. Crush the sage between your fingertips as you add it to the pot. Season with salt and pepper. Saute until vegetables are tender and onions are translucent. Stir often.
- Once onions are translucent, add butter and let melt. Then, add flour and cook while stirring for 1-2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
- Pour in white wine and use a spoon to scrape any bits off the bottom of the pot. Add thyme sprigs, dried bay leaves, heavy cream and chicken stock. Bring to a boil.
- Place chicken back into the pot along with pasta. Bring back to a boil, then lower heat to a simmer and cook until pasta noodles are tender and chicken is cooked through, about [15-20 minutes]. Continue to stir often.
- Once pasta noodles are tender and chicken is cooked through, remove thyme sprigs and dried bay leaves. Check final seasoning and add salt and pepper to taste, if necessary. Stir in parsley and peas. Place back over medium heat and simmer for another 3-5 minutes until peas are cooked through.
- Ladle creamy chicken pasta into bowls and serve warm!
Why You Should Get the Cooking Planit App!
There is a free version of the Cooking Planit app with limited content and functionality. In honor of the #EatFreshChallenge, Cooking Planit has reduced the price of the iPhone app to $1.99 (regularly $2.99), the iPad app to $2.99 (regularly $4.99) and the Android universal app to $1.99 (regularly $2.99) for the duration of the Colavita Challenge. Take advantage of this promotion while it lasts! You can download the iOS App here and the Android app here.
My meal plan for this week is full of easy food - re: KID-FRIENDLY food that Angeline will enjoy! One of the most difficult things about cooking in our house is that Angeline is a really picky eater. You'll notice that I don't select a lot of gourmet, fine dining fare; if I did, she'd likely not eat it. We both really liked the Roasted Chicken Drumsticks I made last week, so I am sticking to simple recipes to keep the "Wow, mom, this is good" momentum going!
OUR MEAL PLAN FOR THIS WEEK
Monday: Bacon, Tomato and Three Cheese Pasta
Tuesday: It was Angeline's Birthday and she had a date at the Olive Garden. Sigh. I ate leftover pasta from Monday and deeply regretted my decision to allow her to spend her 17th birthday with her boyfriend instead of me.
Wednesday: Chicken Quesadillas
Thursday: Sloppy Joes and Mac & Cheese
Friday: Roasted Chicken with Pumpkin Spice Marinade
Saturday: Angeline's birthday party - we're having it catered and I am taking the night off from cooking!
Sunday: Pork Loin and Brussels Sprouts
We absolutely love Brussels sprouts because there are SO MANY different ways to prepare them! If you've never made Brussels sprouts before, this How to Prepare Brussels Sprouts YouTube video will help!
Do you remember the awesome Colavita pantry essentials basket I showed you last week?
I am having so much fun experimenting with the different ingredients while menu planning, but the Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil is my favorite! I use olive oil in so many dishes - everything from Brussels sprouts to the chicken drumsticks to sauteing the veggies for our Creamy Chicken Pasta recipe!
If you’d like to try these cool Colavita products too, you can receive a 20% discount on your Colavita purchase by using the promo code EatFresh20 at checkout – you’ll also get free shipping on all orders over $99! You can check out their products here.
Catherine S
This sounds like a great app. All the meals you had for the week sound really good. The creamy chicken pasta looks fantastic.
Nina Say
Creamy + chicken? I'm there. Wonderful photos! It looks so appetizing.
Pam
That creamy chicken pasta looks delicious! My mouth is watering now!
Rona Berry-Morin
I would love to try the polenta.
Penelope
Wow, that looks so wonderfully yummy! I have to make it now!
Jenn
Thank you! It was a little time consuming to cook but it was SO worth it!
Jeanine
Wow that creamy chicken pasta looks incredible. What a really cool tool, so helpful too.... Maybe another dish to add to my recipes!
Amy Desrosiers
These dishes look so delicious! I would love to try them! Thank you for the recipe!
Mickey
Ooooh, that looks so good! I will definitely have to try the recipe and would love this basket of goodies!
Theresa
I really need to get more organized and make a weekly meal plan. I hate rushing last minute to try and figure out what to make. Your creamy chicken does sound really yummy!
Erin M.
I really need to have a weekly meal plan. I'm excited about the red wine vinegar
Debbie L
The app sounds like it would be really nice. I have a Windows phone - I will check if they make a app for Windows.
Kayla
Mmmm - yum! A mean plan is SO helpful. I'm like you -- EVOO all the way!
vanessa: thequeenofswag
Looks amazing. We love chicken and pasta and what a great giveaway.
Tracey
What an awesome app! I'll take some of that creamy chicken please!
Janel (A Mom's Take)
I really wish I had a plate of your food sitting in front of me for lunch right now. I need to make this for dinner one night soon.
Christie
Wow, the colors in the pasta are beautiful too! I'd love to eat at your house 🙂
Rosey
That was smart to just add more pasta for the non-soup lover in the house. 😉 I am most excited to try the Colavita Olive Oil.
tammigirl
I can't wait to try the balsamic raspberry - it combines two of my favorite flavors. But really? I can't wait to get my hands on a lot of the things in that basket.
Chrystal @ YUM eating
The pasta and the chicken leg dishes both look pretty amazing. I might have to look at this app. It looks like it could be useful for those days when I need a little help and inspiration.
Karen D
I'd say either the olive oil or the balsamic vinegar
Carly Anderson
That chicken pasta looks delicious! You can never go wrong with chicken!
Jessica (Savory Experiments)
This looks like a handy dandy app useful for every busy family. The pasta looks good too 🙂
Amanda
ohmygosh.....this is torture! It looks so good!!! I've given up carbs but this may make me break my streak!
Wil C
The Balsamic Glaze with Raspberries.
Chrysa
Thanks for sharing the Eat Fresh Challenge. I"ll go sign up for Cooking Planit as I have never heard of it. The giveaway looks great, too!
Marina @ Mommy Snippets
This looks wonderful! Thanks for sharing.
Kristin
That creamy chicken looks amazing. And all the wine I love wine and a great pasta dish.. If you just learned that dish you did great.
Laura
This sounds like a great app. I love to cook and that creamy chicken looks fantastic!
Danielle D
Balsamic glaze with raspberries
Deb K
Colavita Olive Oil is my choice,as I cook with olive oil all the time!
Raijean
I'm on a cleanse right now so that pasta looks amazing. I could just taste it.
Margaret Smith
The Balsamic Glaze Raspberry sounds really tasty.
HS
I want to try the 100% organic olive oil the most.
EMMA L HORTON
I WOULD LIKE TO TRY THE RED WINE VINEGAR
Ann Fantom
I excited to try the Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Dana Rodriguez
I don't know where to start!It all looks good! Nice app..I signed up and said you referred me 🙂
Tari Lawson
I am excited to try the polenta as I have never had that.
Selinda
I want to try the polenta. I have never tried polenta before and would like to see if my family likes it!
Tracy Davis
I would love to try the polenta.
Denise Romeo
I cook everything in olive oil so definitely the EVOO!
Debra S
Whoa! What a NICE PRIZE. I think Italian style is my favorite food. I would be most excited for their Olive Oil. Boy, do I use and love olive oil. Sometimes, I get a craving for some good warm bread in olive oil. I also would be excited for the polenta.. Ihave new recipe right now I want to try and it needs polenta!
Wehaf
I would love to try the polenta. I especially love fried polenta, and I bet it would be really good with same balsamic vinegar on top!
janet woodling
I would love to try to Balsamic Glaze Raspberry.
Sharon Kaminski
I would love to try the Roasted Chicken with Pumpkin Spice Marinade.
Sharon McIntyre
I would love to try the balsamic raspberry especially, but I love using oils and vinegars in my cooking so they would all be put to yummy use!
Natalie
I am most excited to try the red wine vinegar ion my next salad.
nickie
I would like to try the polenta.
Charlotte Winters
I have not tried polenta. I'd be excited to try it.
Lisa V.
I'd like to try the Colavita Aged Balsamic Vinegar of Modena.
Tracy Pryor
I'd love to try the sun dried tomato pesto.
Nicole Lancaster
I most excited to try the Colavita Private Selection Fruttato EVOO.
Katie Rose
Hmm, the polenta or the balsamic vinegar.
Tamara
The Colavita Olive Oil looks amazing! I love cooking with olive oil and I've been wanting to try this brand! Thanks for an awesome giveaway! 🙂
jberry
I'm most curious to try the Cirio brand tomatoes. I just saw them yesterday for the 1st time at Harris Teeter, kicking myself for not picking up a box.
Chrystal D
I want to try the Extra Virgin Olive Oil the most. And thanks for the great recipe!
Amanda Kinder
I'd love to try the Gnocchi with Potato!
Lori Overton
I love polenta!!!
Stephanie MacDonald
I am most excited to try the Colavita Olive Oil
ELIZABETH C.
I'm excited about trying the Extra virgin olive oil. I love trying a variety of good oils.
Michele Cupp
I'm excited to try the aged red wine vinegar and the raspberry balsamic. I love to cook with similar items, but haven't tried these.
Mary Beth Elderton
I'd be excited to create meals with all of these! I would be particularly excited to try the Raspberry Balsamic glaze,because I have never tried anything quite like it.
jose benavides
I would really like to try the red wine vinegar..
Dana
The Balasmic Glaze (Raspberry) is pretty intriguing
STARLETTA SCHIPP
Actually I want to try the olive oil. I've read recently that many evoo's on the market aren't really evoo at all.
Sharold Friedrich
It all looks good but I would love to try the Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil
wanda williams
i like all of it! 😉
Mary Somerville
I'd be excited to try the Colavita Raspberry Balsamic Glace. I think it would be good with every food group!
Valencia
I would like to try the Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Linda G.
I want to try the red wine vinegar
Kelly Nicholson
Leave a comment telling me which product you're most excited to try!
ill go for some roasted chicken,..thanks
Robyn Lynne Norris
I'm most excited to try the red wine vinegar!
Penny Snyder
Would love to try the Extra Virgin Olive Oil!!~
Kelly D
I would like the Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Danielle @ We Have It All
Your meal plan for the week sounds awesome. Everything sounds so delicious! I'd like to try the chicken with pumpkin spice marinade - yum!
Jennifer H.
I love Balsamic vinegar and am excited to learn new ways to use it.
Alice Benter
I would like to try the Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil!
sarah
this looks so amazing!
Stevie
Ohh I would love to try the balsamic raspberry! That sounds so good! Yum!
Diana Lane Utley
I'd like to try the lasagna noodles.
HilLesha
Pasta is one of my all-time favorites!
joni
I am most excited to try the Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
deana c
I am most excited to try the Colvita Raspberry Balsamic Glaze.
Mariah Beasley
I'd like to try the balsamic vinegar. What an awesome giveaway. Seriously.
tracey rochelle johnson
i want to try the polenta
mona
I would like to try the Raspberry Balsamic Glaze
Patti Margarita
I want to make Emily's pesto lasagna!
Jill Myrick
The Aged Red Wine Vinegar would be my favorite as I love to use it in a salad.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
Tammy Litke (@threedifferent)
Oh your meal plan for the week would go over so well in our home. Even though we're all adults, we still prefer to eat like kids when it comes to our taste palates 😉
krystal
This looks really good! I even love those brightly colored plates! What fun!
Erica B.
I like their olive oil.
Jody Dietz
I'd like to try the extra virgin olive oil.
Brandy Y.
The red wine vinegar!
Denise S
I'd love to try the Colavita Olive Oil .
Catherine Mallon
I want to try the evo. I am an olive oil freak. always on the look out for the best.
Amanda C.
The Sloppy Joes and Mac & Cheese sounds fantastic!
Brittney House
I would like the balsamic glaze with raspberries.
Soha Molina
I;d like to try the Olive Oil.
joe gersch
i am ecited about the red wine vinegar
jenn giannetto
i really want to try the olive oil!
Lily Wolfe
The amazing olive oil!
liza vladyka
kale and carrot wantons sound yummy
Nichole Smith
I'm most excited to try the raspberry balsamic vinegar. I think it would be really good on roasted carrots.
Anita
Top Your Pizza would be my favorite,thanks
Karen Drake
I would love to try the Colavita Olive Oil.
sandra
most excited to try the Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Annette
I love Colavita products and am most excited to try the Raspberry Balsamic Glaze as it's one of the things I've not yet tried.
Diana
I would love to try the raspberry glaze. That sounds fantastic!
Wilma P
I am most excited to try the Balsamic Raspberry Glaze
Missy
The balsamic raspberry glaze. I love balsamic and imagine this is wonderful.
liz l
The polenta for me
Sylvie W
I'd like to try the Balsamic Glaze - Raspberry. That should be good. I've had regular balsamic vinegar but nothing with a raspberry flavoring.
Cheryl B.
I am eager to try the wine vinegar...
Jessica Whitehouse
I don't do a lot of "from scratch" cooking. I would like to try a fancy Italian pasta dinner for my family.
Rebecca Lock
I want to try the different vinegars.
laurie brown
Colavita Olive Oil
Samantha
I want to try that extra virgin olive oil!
Laurie Emerson
I am most excited to try the olavita Olive Oil. I love cooking with olive oil!
Heather Dawn
I really want to try the EVOO!!
Patricia Wojnar Crowley
I can't wait to try the Red Wine Vinegar!
Annette
Thank you so much! I just replied to your email. 🙂
Megan Holloway
That looks SO good. Definitely will have to try this recipe!