Rustic Kale & Chicken Pasta Recipe for Comfort

Why You’ll Love This this Rustic Kale & Chicken Pasta

This rustic pasta brings together tender chicken, earthy kale, and creamy feta in one skillet – because who’s time for multiple pots when you’re already juggling life.

The beauty lies in its simplicity: you’re literally just tossing everything together with some pasta water or broth, letting the ingredients meld into something that tastes way fancier than the effort you put in.

Plus, it’s one of those forgiving recipes where you can swap the kale for whatever greens are lurking in your fridge, making it perfect for those “what am I going to do with this wilting produce” moments we all know too well.

Ingredients List

This recipe keeps things beautifully simple with just a handful of pantry staples and fresh ingredients that work together like they were meant to be.

• 4 cups cooked penne (2 servings)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 chicken breasts or 2 cups left over chicken meat
• 4 cups fresh kale or 4 cups mustard greens, roughly chopped with stems removed
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 cup chicken broth or 1/2 cup pasta water
• Salt and pepper

Health considerations worth noting:

• Kale brings serious nutritional firepower with vitamins A, C, and K, plus iron and calcium
• Chicken provides lean protein without the guilt of heavier meats
• Olive oil delivers heart-healthy fats that actually help your body absorb those fat-soluble vitamins
• The feta adds calcium and flavor without going overboard on dairy
• Using pasta water instead of extra broth cuts down on sodium while still creating that silky sauce texture

Step by Step Directions

Getting this rustic pasta dish on the table is straightforward – just follow these simple steps for a satisfying meal that comes together in minutes.

• Cook the penne according to package directions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Sauté chicken breasts until cooked through and golden on both sides.
• Remove chicken from pan and dice into bite-sized pieces.
• Return diced chicken to the same pan to keep those flavorful drippings.
• Add kale and garlic to the pan with the chicken, stirring until kale wilts and becomes tender.
• Toss in the cooked penne along with butter and crumbled feta cheese.
• Pour in chicken broth or pasta water gradually until everything is well-coated with a light sauce.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve immediately while hot for the best texture and flavor.

For an even heartier family meal, consider transferring this pasta to a casserole baking dish and baking it with extra cheese on top.

Substitutions and Variations

• Make it heartier – sun-dried tomatoes add chewy texture and intense flavor, pine nuts bring that fancy restaurant atmosphere, or throw in some artichoke hearts because why not live a little.
• Protein alternatives – turkey works just as well as chicken, Italian sausage makes it feel like a completely different dish, or go meatless with white beans for something surprisingly satisfying.

Additional Things to Serve With This Dish

This pasta practically begs for some supporting players to round out the meal.

• Crusty bread – because to be frank, you’re going to want something to soak up every last bit of that garlicky, cheesy goodness at the bottom of your bowl, and a good sourdough or Italian loaf does the job beautifully.
• Simple green salad – arugula with lemon vinaigrette cuts through all that richness, or go basic with mixed greens and whatever dressing is lurking in your fridge door.
• Roasted vegetables – Brussels sprouts get crispy and caramelized, zucchini becomes sweet and tender, or honestly, just toss whatever vegetables are looking sad in your crisper drawer with olive oil and call it a day.
• Wine pairing – a crisp white like Pinot Grigio plays nice with the feta and kale, though a light red works too if that’s more your speed, and if you’re not drinking wine, sparkling water with lemon feels fancy enough.

Cooking Tips & Tricks (Chef’s Notes)

A few small tweaks can turn this simple pasta from good to absolutely knock-your-socks-off amazing.

• Don’t skip the pasta water – that starchy liquid is liquid gold for creating a silky sauce that clings to every piece of penne, so save at least a cup before you drain.
• Massage your kale first – seriously, give those leaves a good rubdown with a pinch of salt for about 30 seconds to break down the tough fibers, because nobody wants to gnaw through chewy greens like a goat.
• Let the garlic get golden – not brown, not burnt, just that perfect golden color that makes your kitchen smell like an Italian grandmother’s dream.
• Add the feta off the heat – toss it in after you remove the pan from the burner so it gets warm and slightly melty without turning into rubbery little pebbles.
• Season in layers – salt the pasta water, season the chicken, taste before serving, because under-seasoned food is just sad food wearing a disguise.
• Use leftover rotisserie chicken – why make more work for yourself when the grocery store already did the heavy lifting, just shred it up and toss it in during the last few minutes.
• Save some raw kale – throw in a handful of fresh leaves at the very end for a pop of color and different texture, because variety is the spice of life and all that.

Nutritional Facts

This hearty pasta packs a serious nutritional punch with lean protein, leafy greens, and complex carbs working together to fuel your day.

• High in protein – each serving delivers approximately 35-40 grams of complete protein from the chicken, supporting muscle maintenance and keeping you satisfied for hours.
• Vitamin K powerhouse – just one cup of kale provides over 680% of your daily vitamin K needs, essential for bone health and blood clotting.
• Iron-rich – the kale contributes significant iron content, helping prevent fatigue and supporting healthy oxygen transport throughout your body.
• Calcium boost – between the kale and feta cheese, you’re getting a solid dose of calcium for strong bones and teeth.
• Complex carbohydrates – the penne provides sustained energy release, avoiding the sugar crashes that come with refined carbs.
• Heart-healthy fats – olive oil delivers monounsaturated fats that support cardiovascular health and help absorb fat-soluble vitamins.
• Folate source – kale provides folate, vital for cell division and DNA synthesis, especially important for pregnant women.
• Antioxidant-loaded – kale’s high levels of beta-carotene and vitamin C help fight inflammation and support immune function.
• Fiber content – approximately 4-5 grams per serving from the kale and pasta, promoting digestive health and satiety.
• Low in added sugars – this savory dish keeps your blood sugar stable without hidden sugars found in many packaged meals.

Fun “Did You Know?”

While kale might seem like a modern superfood trend, it’s actually been cultivating quite the reputation for centuries – ancient Romans considered it so valuable they’d plant it around their homes as both food and medicine.

Here’s something that’ll blow your mind: kale contains more calcium per serving than milk! I’m talking about 150mg versus milk’s 112mg. Plus, your body absorbs kale’s calcium more efficiently.

Another fascinating tidbit? Kale’s one of the few vegetables that actually tastes better after frost – the cold converts its starches to sugars, creating that perfect sweet-yet-earthy flavor we love in comfort dishes.