Description
Garlic butter chicken dances with zucchini, corn, and ravioli in this Mediterranean-inspired skillet masterpiece. Quick weeknight magic combines juicy chicken, seasonal vegetables, and pillowy pasta for a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb chicken breasts, skinless, boneless, sliced
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Vegetables and Pasta:
- 2 medium zucchini, sliced
- 1.5 cups corn kernels (cooked, about 3 corn ears)
- 8 ounces (226 grams) ravioli (store-bought, frozen or refrigerated)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for vegetables)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for chicken)
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Fill a generously sized pot with water and bring to a rolling boil. Submerge the ravioli and cook according to package guidelines, typically between 7 to 10 minutes, then carefully drain and set aside.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious, high-sided cast-iron skillet over medium temperature. Introduce sliced zucchini, seasoning with salt and black pepper, and sauté for approximately 3 minutes, ensuring a single flip midway through cooking. Transfer the tender zucchini to a separate plate.
- Generously coat chicken strips with smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Utilize the same skillet, heating additional olive oil, and place chicken pieces without disturbance for roughly 4 minutes. Perform a careful flip, incorporate minced garlic, and continue cooking for an additional 2 minutes.
- Reduce the skillet’s heat to low, introduce fresh lime juice and of butter, gently cooking and stirring consistently for 2 more minutes to develop rich flavors.
- Integrate the previously cooked zucchini and corn kernels into the chicken mixture. Add the remaining of butter, quickly stirring to create a uniform, glossy garlic butter sauce that envelops all ingredients.
- Remove the skillet from heat, fold in the cooked ravioli, ensuring each piece is delicately coated with the aromatic sauce. Adjust seasonings as desired with additional spices and lime juice for enhanced taste.
- Present the dish garnished with freshly chopped cilantro and a delicate sprinkle of chili powder, creating a visually appealing and flavorful meal.
Notes
- Quick and easy one-pan meal that combines tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and cheesy ravioli in a flavorful garlic butter sauce.
- Use high-quality cast-iron skillet for even heat distribution and beautiful caramelization of chicken and vegetables.
- Smoked paprika and chili powder add depth and warmth to the dish, creating a complex flavor profile that elevates simple ingredients.
- Cooking zucchini separately ensures perfect texture and prevents overcrowding the pan, which helps achieve a nice golden-brown sear.
- Fresh lime juice brightens the rich garlic butter sauce, cutting through the richness and adding a tangy zip to the entire dish.
- Garnishing with cilantro and extra chili powder provides a fresh herbaceous note and an optional kick of heat for personalization.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg