We’ve seen a lot of rain in the last few locations where we’ve traveled this spring! In fact, I think we’ve seen more rain these past few weeks than we did in all of 2021! As much as I am ready to grill outside, the rain has had me cooking inside a lot lately.

What should I cook when camping?

Since I don’t want too many dishes to wash and I want to taste the brightness of the season, I’ve put together this easy one-pot pasta dish that makes doing the dishes a breeze and gives me the sense that spring is in the air!

Since it cooks up quickly, it’s a perfect weeknight dinner for everyone, whether you are cooking in your RV like me or cooking in a house. This pasta dish also works well if you’re boondocking and don’t want to use a lot of water to cook. No matter where you happen to be, you’ll be happy to have this delicious meal to add to your list!

What kind of wine should I cook with?

This recipe calls for a half-cup of dry white wine. For this dish and for most recipes that call for a dry white wine, I recommend sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio, or dry riesling. I would avoid wines with a lot of oak (like oaky Chardonnay) or with a lot of sugar (like Moscato).

No matter what the ingredient, chicken stock, vegetables, or wine, I always suggest using ingredients that you would enjoy eating or drinking on their own. This doesn’t mean that you have to spend a lot of money on cooking wine. I find lots of great bargain wines in the import section of Trader Joe’s wine department. If you’re wondering what to do with the rest of the bottle, please don’t hesitate to ask me for ideas. 😉

The Perfect Dish for Mother’s Day at the Campground

Husbands and children take note! This dish is perfect for celebrating mother’s day! Leaving only a few dishes to wash, your wife or mother will love the combination of flavors. You’ll all be happy when you prepare this satisfying meal for the special women in your life this mother’s day!

Can I Double the Recipe?

Of course, you can double or triple the recipe! You will want to keep a couple of things in mind! One, don’t crowd the chicken in your pan. It’s better to work in smaller batches and get a little bit of a crust on your chicken than to put it all in at once. Adjust the amount of water so that the pasta is just covered. And, since cooking larger quantities takes longer for the water to come to a boil, you might need to adjust the cooking time a bit.

One Pot Lemon Chicken & Broccolini Pasta

Cooked in one pot without a lot of water, this pasta dish is perfect for boondocking or any day that you are out RVing or home getting ready to get out camping!

• Dutch Oven or other large pot

• 1 tbsp Olive Oil ((optional if using non-stick cookware))
• 1 pound Chicken Breasts (boneless, skinless, patted dry, cut in 1/2-inch pieces, seasoned with salt and pepper)
• 1/2 cup Dry White Wine (substitute chicken stock with lemon juice if desired)
• 8 ounces Dry Pasta (Penne or Bowties are my favorites for this dish)
• 3 cups Water
• 2 bunches Baby Broccoli or Broccolini (rough chopped in 1-inch pieces (can substitute fresh broccoli florets if desired))
• 5 cloves Garlic (minced or pressed)
• 3/4 – 1 cup Chicken Stock
• 1-3 tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
• 1 Lemon Zest (from one lemon (use juice if you are not using wine))
• 2 tbsp Butter (unsalted and cold)
• Parmesan Cheese (for serving)
• Salt & Pepper

1. Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add Olive Oil if using.

2. Add seasoned chicken pieces to the pot and cook until brown on all sides (about 10 minutes).

3. Deglaze the pan with the white wine scraping the pan bottom for any cooked-on bits. Allow the wine to reduce in the pot with the chicken for a couple of minutes. Move the chicken mixture and any remaining liquid to a bowl on the side.

4. Add pasta to the empty pot with three cups of water. (There should be enough water just to cover the pasta.) Season the water with about one teaspoon of Kosher salt.

5. Cover and cook on high heat according to the pasta package instructions minus two minutes.

6. Add the broccolini (or broccoli) on top of the pasta. Recover and cook for two more minutes. Do not drain.

7. With the heat on medium-low, stir in the chicken mixture and any juices in the bowl.

8. With the heat on medium-high, add the garlic to the pot and cook for a minute.

9. Add the chicken stock, lemon zest, crushed red pepper, and cold butter. Mix thoroughly.

10. Serve with plenty of parmesan cheese.

You can make this recipe in a multi-cooker or Instant Pot. 

• Use high saute to cook the chicken, garlic, and wine. 
• Cook the pasta with the water on manual high pressure for 1/2 of the time on the package less 2 minutes with quick release. (Example: if the package says to cook for 12 minutes, cook for 4 minutes.)
• Add broccolini, reseal and cook on manual high pressure for 0 minutes. Quick release.
• Finish the recipe as indicated using the saute function.  

Dinner

Italian, Mediterranean

one pot meal, onepot, pasta

Other One Pot Meals Ideas

If you’re looking for other one-pot meal ideas for RV Cooking, you might also like:

• Instant Pot Sausage, Broccoli, and Orrechiette Pasta
• One-Pot Ground Lamb with Eggplant
• One-Pot Spaghetti Bolognese