RECIPE | One Pot Creamy Pesto Pasta with Chicken and Broccoli

[2018] 078/365: Creamy Pesto Pasta

 I offered to cook dinner and decided it was best to make something we already have to save money.

Scruffy’s dad makes a big batch of pesto, measures it all out, then freezes it and I’ve always had the pleasure of taking some home with me. I always put in pasta, chicken, and lots of vegetables, then blindly throw in the bag of pesto to finish it off.

This time, I wanted to try something different and I’m so glad I did because this is the best pesto pasta I’ve had in forever! The only thing I needed to buy was half and half, chicken, and broccoli. Literally, the lazy in me went and bought a rotisserie chicken instead. I decided to go the creamy route – extra fat = extra delicious! It was worth it!

This became a one-pot wonder due to the fact that while my pasta was cooking, I was busy prepping the rest of my ingredients which is usually how I cook. That way by the time pasta is done, I can use the same pot to mix everything together. The only way to go, guys, so that there are less dishes to wash at the end, which is always my goal!

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One Pot Creamy Pesto Pasta with Chicken and Broccoli

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

15 mins

Total Time

25 mins

 

Quick meal after a long day of work!

Course: Main Course, Pasta

Cuisine: Italian

Servings: 4 servings

Author: Mellie Dee

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 onion minced
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 2 chicken breasts 1/2 inch strips
• 1 cup light cream or half and half
• 1/4 parmesan cheese grated
• 1/4 cup pesto
• 1/2 tsp salt to taste
• 1/4 tsp pepper to taste
• 4 cups al dente pasta drained
• 1 cup broccoli florets frozen or fresh

Preparations

1. Cook pasta in a large pot according to package directions. Add the broccoli to the pasta pot a minute before the pasta is done, then drain and set aside.*

2. Using the same pot, pour olive oil in a large pan. Add the onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until golden. Mix in garlic.

3. Season the chicken with salt and pepper then add to the mix for 5-7 minutes, or until browned.**

4. Mix in the parmesan, cream, pesto, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.

5. Stir in the pasta and broccoli until fully combined, simmering for another 2-3 minutes.

6. Remove from heat and serve.

Notes

*You can add any kind of vegetables, zucchini, peppers, squash, etc.
**For an even faster recipe, use a rotisserie chicken like I did! If so, skip step 3 and add the chicken in with the pasta and broccoli!

Bon Appétit!