Tag Archives: pesto pasta with chicken

Healthy Recipe: Pesto Pasta with Chicken

Pasta is one of the easiest foods to make and always tastes great.  Grains are an essential part of a healthy diet and have been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers, and other health problems.

The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that at least half of the grains eaten in a day should be whole grains because they are the healthiest kinds of grains. This recipe uses whole wheat pasta, which can be found at almost any grocery store.

Pesto Pasta with Chicken

pesto chickenServes 8

Ingredients:

  • 1 (16 ounce) package whole wheat rotini pasta
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
  • Crushed red pepper flakes to taste
  • 1 cup grape tomatoes, cut into halves
  • 1/2 cup pesto sauce

Preparation:

  1. Bring a large pot of slightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 7 to 9 minutes or until al dente; drain.
  2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté garlic until tender, then stir in chicken. Season with red pepper flakes. Cook until chicken is golden, and cooked through.
  3. In a large bowl, combine pasta, chicken, grape tomatoes, and pesto. Toss to coat evenly.

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samantha schwartz

About the Blogger

Samantha Schwartz is a Penn State senior studying public relations. She is interning atPenn State University Health Services, assisting with the Healthy Penn State initiative.