Trader Joe’s Garlicky Pasta with Chicken and Asparagus
This Trader Joe’s Garlicky Pasta with Chicken and Asparagus might be my best friend. It’s quick, easy, comes together in one pan, and everyone.freaking.LOVES IT! What’s not to love?!
Have you joined our awesome Trader Joe’s Facebook community yet?? If not, join here! We share recipes, hacks, and all the latest and greatest from Trader Joe’s!
Easy, Versatile, One Pan.
This Trader Joe’s recipe checks off all my weeknight dinner checkboxes. Let’s chat about the Trader Joe’s Garlicky Pasta…The garlic flavor is NOT overpowering. So it’s fine for kids and people who don’t want garlic breath 🙂 It’s just perfect.
Having a few bags of this pasta in the freezer can be a lifesaver, too (Pro Tip: ONE bag isn’t enough!). This recipe is super versatile–you can switch up the veggies, and protein, and even use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken. You really can’t go wrong! This is truly an SOS go-to meal that’s fantastic to have in your weeknight toolkit 🙂 Cheers,
RECIPE INGREDIENTS
This Trader Joe’s Garlicky Pasta with Chicken and Asparagus only has FIVE main ingredients:
- Trader Joe’s Garlicky Pasta (2 bags)
- Chicken breast
- Asparagus
- Trader Joe’s Aglio Olio seasoning (see substitution below)
- Garlic Powder
- Parmesan cheese and lemon juice are optional, to taste
INGREDIENT NOTES
Garlicky Pasta: This is found in the Trader Joe’s frozen food section near the gnocchi, and other frozen pastas.
Aglio Olio Seasoning: This seasoning is one of the holy grails in my spice cabinet. It’s good on pretty much everything! It’s a blend of garlic, parsley, red pepper flakes, and salt. Although not as good, you can substitute this seasoning with 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon parsley flakes, 1/2 tsp oregano, 1/2 tsp sea salt, and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Casey’s Top Tip: Cook the asparagus until crisp-tender–not mushy! Not only does that preserve the nutrients, but it also adds a nice, crisp texture to this dish!
SUBSTITUTIONS AND VARIATIONS
- Veggies: Mix and match the veggies however you like! I’ve made this dish with broccoli, mushrooms, and bell peppers.
- Protein: The chicken breast can easily be adapted to almost any protein. Chicken thighs, ground chicken or turkey, or shrimp would all pair perfectly with the garlicky pasta.
- Aglio Olio Seasoning: Not quite as flavorful, but you can substitute this seasoning with 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon parsley flakes, 1/2 tsp oregano, 1/2 tsp sea salt, and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
SERVE THIS GARLICKY PASTA WITH…
PIN THIS POST FOR LATER!
I hope you love this Trader Joe’s Garlicky Pasta with Chicken and Asparagus! If you make it be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Enjoy, xo!
Trader Joe’s Garlicky Pasta with Chicken and Asparagus
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil just enough to coat the bottom of your pan
- 1 lb. chicken breast or chicken breast tenders, cut into small, bite-sized pieces
- 1 bunch of asparagus trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tbsp Trader Joe's Aglio Olio Seasoning See Note 1
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 16 oz. bags of Trader Joe's Garlicky Pasta found in the freezer section
- lemon juice and Parmesan cheese (optional, to taste)
Instructions
- Cook Chicken: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the oil. When the oil is hot, add chicken pieces. Season the chicken with Aglio Olio seasoning and garlic powder. Toss well to ensure the seasoning coats the chicken. Cook for 2 minutes until chicken is nearly cooked through (does not have to be cooked all the way).
- Add Asparagus: To the pan with the chicken, add your asparagus. Cook for 3-4 more until the asparagus is crisp-tender and the chicken is cooked through. Transfer chicken and asparagus to a plate and cover with foil. Set aside.
- Cook Pasta: To the same pan over medium heat, add ½ cup water. Scrape up the browned bits at the bottom of the skillet, then add the garlicky pasta. Cover and cook for 3-4 minutes (if you pan doesn't have a lid you can just cover it with a baking sheet) Uncover, and cook for 3-4 more, stirring with tongs to separate the pasta. The pasta should be thawed and more pliable by now, so it's easy to break up with tongs.
- Finish: When the pasta is warmed through, add back in your chicken and asparagus plus any juices on the plate. Toss everything together until the chicken and veggies are well-coated in the pasta "sauce." If the pasta sauce is a bit too thin, don't worry! It will thicken after 2-3 minutes as it cools. Add fresh lemon juice and Parmesan cheese (optional).
This recipe is a staple at our house–I hope you love it as much as we do1