Pasta, Broccoli and Chicken



This is one of those recipes that I just love. Easy to make, tasty and goes a long way. We had this for dinner last week and my son loved it so much that he had it for a snack when he came home from school!!! I found this once again on Allrecipes. Between reading all the food blogs that I do and searching Allrecipes it's a wonder that I would even have cookbooks anymore. It's funny because of all the cookbooks that I do have, I always go back to the first one I ever owned - Doubleday Cookbook.....It's around 30 years old but it still has just about every recipe you would want in it. I have always used this for a reference if I'm not sure how to cook something. Almost like having an old pair of shoes you don't ever want to part with!


It has been hot, hot and hot here the past few days. We spent one afternoon at the pool and that's it. It's even too hot for that! We're talking record breaking temperatures. But that is ok with me. I'd rather it be like this than be cold and have snow - no thank you!!!! Anyhow, this recipe is very versatile. You can use more or less of one ingredient depending on your taste. The recipe below is exactly as it appears in Allrecipes, but I used more of each ingredient since I had about 2 pounds of chicken instead of 1.....


12 ounces rigatoni pasta (I used penne)

1/2 lb fresh broccoli florets

1/4 cup olive oil

1 tablespoon minced garlic

2 tablespoons pesto (I used 4)

1 cup chopped tomatoes

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 pound boneless chicken breast halves, cooked and chopped

salt to taste

ground black pepper to taste


In a large pot with boiling salted water cook pasta until al dente. Drain.


Meanwhile blanch broccoli florets in a medium size saucepan, remove with a slotted spoon. In same pan saute the minced garlic and pesto sauce in olive oil for 2 minutes. Add the chopped tomatoes and set aside.


In a large bowl toss cooked pasta with blanced broccoli, cooked chicken and garlic/tomato mixture. Add grated Parmesan cheese, salt and ground black pepper and mix well. Serve warm.





Comments

Leslie said…
Looks yummy to me too. I would want it for a snack as well!
Cassie said…
This sounds absolutely delicious! Of course, anything containing pesto and pasta is a winner in my book. And just like you, I definitely use food blogs and online recipe sites more than my cookbooks. It always makes me feel guilty because I have an entire bookcase dedicated to cookbooks in my kitchen!

We've had the heat here, too, although I think it's leveling off now. Thank goodness! I thought I needed an ice water IV there for a while.
Unknown said…
I think everyone seems to be suffering from the heat...and here we are, in the desert of AZ and we are actually on the cool side for this time of year... it was only 98 yesterday!! lol
The pasta looks and sounds yummy! I adore simple recipes like this.
Anonymous said…
My family would LOVE this - great recipe
Mary
Jennifer said…
Looks yummy, I adore Pasta any way I can get it!
Pam said…
Quick, healthy, and delicious!