1poundboneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1mediumonion, finely chopped
4clovesgarlic, minced
1bell pepperdiced (red or yellow)
1mediumzucchini, chopped into half-moons
1teaspoondried Italian seasoning
0.5teaspoonred pepper flakes
1can (14.5 ounces)diced tomatoes, including their juice
4cupslow-sodium chicken broth
8ouncesspaghetti, broken in half
to tastesalt
to tastefreshly ground black pepper
for garnishfresh basil leaves
for servinggrated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large, deep skillet or pot over medium heat, ensuring it's hot but not smoking.
Add the diced chicken to the pot and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Sauté the chicken until it is browned and cooked through, approximately 5-7 minutes. Once done, remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside on a plate.
In the same pot, add the finely chopped onions. Sauté them for about 3-4 minutes or until they become translucent and aromatic.
Next, mix in the minced garlic, diced bell pepper, and chopped zucchini. Continue to cook for another 3-4 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften slightly.
Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes, stirring well to coat the vegetables in the flavorful spices.
Pour in the diced tomatoes (with all their juice) along with the chicken broth. Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
When the mixture reaches a boil, add in the broken spaghetti, pushing it down into the liquid if necessary. Be sure to stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking.
Once boiling subsides, reduce the heat to medium-low and let simmer for about 10-12 minutes, or until the spaghetti is al dente and a majority of the liquid has been absorbed.
Return the previously cooked chicken to the pot, stirring to combine the ingredients evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
Remove the pot from heat, allowing it to sit for a few moments to thicken slightly before serving.
Notes
Serve with fresh basil and grated Parmesan for added flavor.