I am kicking off a new series called 30 minute dinners! With the frenzy of getting my kids to after school activities, doing homework, hanging out with friends, and volunteering cooking dinner can sometimes be a challenge!
Often I rely on my trusty crockpot, pre-setting the oven, or freezer meals! Sometimes, it’s nice just to have a fresh meal that is quick and easy to make! Join me as I go on a mission to find easy to make dinners that take about 30 minutes to make and are good for the whole family!
I love getting the Country Living magazine each month! For 2 years now my neighbor reads her copy and then sends it my way for me to see the latest trends in country decor, the highlighted home, and most of all the fabulous recipes!
This creamy chicken and broccoli pesto is inspired and slightly tweaked from one of their featured recipes! It’s a bright, colorful good for you pasta dish that has perfect pasta, shredded chicken, broccoli pesto, and just a touch of creaminess!
This creamy chicken broccoli pesto is a great way to get my kids to eat their greens, and as they gobbled it down they had no idea they were eating broccoli! Oh yeah, I am doing the happy dance! It’s the little things in life! 🙂
- 2 1/2 cups broccoli florets
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 lb bow tie pasta
- 1 small bunch of basil
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 1/2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese-grated
- 4 ounces of cream cheese-softened
- 3 cups chicken-cooked and shredded
- Cook chicken until done, shred with a fork, set aside.
- Steam broccoli, and cook pasta until al dente. Set aside.
- In a food processor (I use a Ninja) add the garlic, oil, basil, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, and Parmesan cheese. Pulse until chopped. Add in the broccoli and pulse into a fine pesto. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir the broccoli pesto, cream cheese, and shredded chicken into the pasta until well coated!
- Enjoy! 🙂
Mary @ StrawmarySmith says
Hi Cathy!
This pasta looks delicious! I love how colorful it is, and I especially love using lemon zest in recipes! Great job!
Mary
CathyM says
Thank you so much Mary for checking out this pasta! Yes, I love lemon in recipes too, it adds so much flavor and color!
Creative Clementine says
Yummy! Broccoli is my least favourite word (the least intuitive spelling possible!) but one of my favourite veggies. Such a great idea to use in pesto!
Thanks again for joining us at Idea Box!
CathyM says
Thank you so much for checking out this 30 minute dinner, I really appreciate you stopping by from the link party! 🙂
Miz Helen says
Hi Cathy,
I just love the flavors in your dish. Happy St. Patrick's Day and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday!
Miz Helen
CathyM says
Thank you so much Miz Helen, that is a very big compliment coming from a seasoned cook like yourself, thank you! 🙂
Christie Selken says
I love Pesto, and enjoy making it myself. It tastes so much better fresh. I will give this recipe a try! Thanks for sharing at Totally Terrific Tuesday! I am pinning this for later.
CathyM says
Thank you so much Christie! I was pleasantly surprised at how great it turned out!
Kristen Chidsey says
I love that you used broccoli as the base for this pesto–YUM!!
CathyM says
Thank you so much Kristen!
Caroline Williams says
Pesto pasta makes for such a great, easy and tasty meal – this looks great!
CathyM says
It really does! Thanks so much Caroline for coming over! 🙂
CathyM says
It really does! Thanks so much Caroline for coming over! 🙂
Mari says
Cathy! looks delish just pinned 🙂 I am trying to eat grain pasta or wheat lol maybe this pesto will help me mask my dislike for the taste:) wish me look xo!
CathyM says
Aww, thanks so much Mari! Let me know how it turns out! This full-flavored pesto is sure to mask the taste of wheat pasta! 🙂
Lux G. says
Oh, I love pasta! Especially the creamy ones. Pesto is one of the best. It smells oh so heavenly.
CathyM says
Our family loves pasta dishes too! Thanks for stopping by Lux! 🙂