Pesto Pasta with Chicken and Broccoli
My Pesto Pasta with Chicken and Broccoli is good enough it got Mr. Bossy’s approval, which is not an easy thing to achieve. If Mr. Bossy likes it, that means others that don’t like “healthy” food may like it too.
Of note: I love me some bean pasta, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend using it as a substitution in this recipe. With the hummus already having beans, I don’t want to see anybody consume too many beans at once and come hollering at me. (I’m trying to be discrete here…but basically too many beans may mean your insides get mad.)
Chicken Pesto Pasta
Ingredients
- 6 cups water
- 2 cups dry, whole wheat pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups frozen, broccoli
- to taste garlic powder
- to taste dried rosemary
- to taste salt (I used garlic salt)
- 16 ounces frozen, fully cooked chicken nuggets (I used Tyson Naturals Grilled Chicken Breast Nuggets - purchased at Target)
- 1 package Hope Hummus - Kale Pesto (I got it from Sprouts. I believe Whole Foods may carry it. Check the Hope Hummus website for location information.)
Instructions
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Place saucepan with approximately 6 cups of water on the stovetop.
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Heat on high until the water boils. (Putting a lid on the saucepan will speed this process up.)
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Once the water is boiling, decrease the heat to approximately medium high and carefully (to avoid splashing) pour 2 cups of dry pasta into saucepan.
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Stir pasta frequently and continue doing so until pasta is al dente (firm to the bite). Run a piece of pasta under cool tap water and then taste test to check for firmness.
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When pasta is desired firmness then strain water from pasta/saucepan. Pour pasta in a bowl or other container and set to the side.
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Put saucepan back onto burner, turn heat down to medium and pour 2 (or so) tablespoons of olive oil into the the pan. Watch out as olive oil can pop and splash. Allow olive oil to heat for a moment and then pour 2 cups of frozen broccoli into saucepan. You may want to increase heat to medium high once broccoli is in the pan.
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Sprinkle garlic powder, rosemary and salt (I recommend less salt and more garlic powder and rosemary) into saucepan per your taste preferences.
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Stir broccoli while it cooks but not too frequently as it won't brown.
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Once broccoli is browned remove from heat, set to the side and turn off burner.
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Place frozen chicken nuggets on microwave safe dish and heat per package instructions. (Use the same dishes you will be serving the meal on if you wish to save dishes.)
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Once chicken is heated, remove from microwave.
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Put chicken and pasta into the saucepan with the broccoli. Mix in the Hope Hummus.
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You are now ready to serve and eat. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
TO MAKE THE RECIPE FASTER & DO MORE STEPS AT ONCE FOLLOW THIS (skillet needed):
- 1. Place saucepan with approximately 6 cups of water on the stovetop.
- 2. Heat on high until the water boils. (Putting a lid on the saucepan will speed this process up.)
- 3. WHILE WAITING ON THE WATER TO BOIL place a skillet on another burner and turn the heat to medium. Allow the skillet to heat for a moment then pour 2 (or so) tablespoons of olive oil into the the skillet. Watch out as olive oil can pop and splash. Allow olive oil to heat for a moment then pour in the 2 cups of frozen broccoli. You may want to increase heat to medium high once broccoli is in the skillet.
Sprinkle garlic powder, rosemary and salt (I recommend less salt and more garlic powder and rosemary) into skillet per your taste preferences. Stir broccoli while it cooks.
Once broccoli is browned, remove from heat and turn off burner. - 4. ONCE WATER IS BOILING decrease the heat to approximately medium high and carefully (to avoid splashing) pour 2 cups of dry pasta into saucepan.
Stir pasta frequently and continue doing so until pasta is al dente (firm to the bite). Run a piece of pasta under cool tap water and then taste test to check for firmness.
When pasta is desired firmness then strain water from pasta/saucepan. Put back in saucepan, off heat and set aside. - 5. WHILE COOKING PASTA AND BROCCOLI place frozen chicken nuggets on microwave safe dish and heat per package instructions. (Use the same dishes you will be serving the meal on if you wish to save dishes.) Once chicken is heated, remove from microwave and set to the side.
- 6. Once pasta, broccoli and chicken are all done pour all three into the saucepan or skillet. Mix in the Hope Hummus.
- You are now ready to serve and eat. Enjoy!
Like easy recipes? Got a sweet-tooth? Check out these Oatmeal Banana Cookie Bars.
If you try my Pesto Pasta with Chicken and Broccoli, let me know what you think!
Paige is a registered dietitian nutritionist and certified personal trainer. She decided to go to school and study nutrition after having her own questions about and struggles with food. Paige specializes in helping people change how they relate to and feel about food. Much of her work is centered around mindful eating, emotional eating, cravings, stress eating, weight loss and overeating.