Pesto Penne with Deli-Roasted Chicken

Purchased pesto and roast chicken help get this main-dish pasta on the table in 20 minutes. Broccoli cooks with the pasta and lends its fresh flavor.

Pesto Penne with Deli-Roasted Chicken
Total Time:
20 mins
Servings:
4

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces dried penne, mostaccioli or bow tie pasta (4 cups)

  • 2 cups broccoli flowerets

  • 1 7 ounce container purchased basil pesto (about 3/4 cup)

  • 2 ½ cups bite-size slices of deli-roasted chicken, purchased refrigerated cooked chicken strips, or bite-size slices of leftover cooked chicken (about 12 ounces)

  • 1 7 ounce jar roasted red sweet peppers, drained and cut into strips

  • ¼ cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese

  • Finely shredded Parmesan cheese (optional)

  • ½ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

Directions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions, adding broccoli the last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Return drained pasta and broccoli to saucepan.

  2. In a small bowl, combine pesto and the reserved pasta water. Add chicken, roasted red peppers and pesto mixture to pasta in saucepan. Toss gently to coat. Heat through over medium heat. Add 1/4 cup cheese to pasta mixture and toss to combine. Divide the pasta among 4 warm pasta bowls. Sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese, if you like. Top with coarsely ground black pepper. Serve immediately. Makes 4 servings.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

672 Calories
35g Fat
53g Carbs
37g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 672
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 35g 45%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Cholesterol 93mg 31%
Sodium 857mg 37%
Total Carbohydrate 53g 19%
Protein 37g
Vitamin C 118mg 591%
Calcium 232mg 18%
Iron 5mg 25%
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