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Lunch | Dinner

Quick and Easy Chicken Pesto Pasta

  • 5 Mins

    Prep Time

  • 20 Mins

    Cook Time

  • 6

    Servings

  • 348

    Calories

  • 12g

    Fat

  • 43g

    Carbs

  • 19g

    Protein

Recommended For:

Crohn’s Disease & Ulcerative Colitis

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Ingredients

  • 12 oz Penne Rigate (or short noodle of choice)
  • 1½ Cups Chicken, cooked and diced
  • ¼ Cup Old World Italian Pesto (or substitute with jarred pesto)
  • ¼ Cup Parmesan Cheese
  • Salt and Pepper, to taste

What You’ll Need

  • Large Pot

  • Cutting Board

  • Knife

  • Colander

  • Measuring Cups

  • Large Bowl

  • Cheese Grater

  • Spoon

  • GGluten:

    Replace the noodles with a gluten-free pasta, zucchini noodles, or spaghetti squash (if well tolerated).

  • DDairy:

    Use a dairy-free cheese, such as vegan cheese (Parmesan cheese has trace amounts of lactose, but omit cheese if bothersome)

  • NNuts:

    Use a nut-free pesto or make the pesto recipe above with sunflower seeds

Instructions

  • 1.

    Wash Hands Wash hands with soap and water.

  • 2.

    Cook Pasta Cook pasta according to package directions. Just before draining, reserve ¼ cup of the pasta water and set aside.

  • 3.

    Prepare Pesto While pasta is cooking, prepare Old World Italian Pesto and dice chicken.

  • 4.

    Mix Pesto and Pasta Add drained pasta to a large bowl and mix in the pesto. Add additional pasta water to reach desired sauce consistency.

  • 5.

    Serve & Enjoy Plate pasta and top with chicken and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

  • 6.

    Wash Hands Wash hands with soap and water.

Recipe Created by Meijer Registered Dietitians

Nourishment Notes

Chicken

Chicken is a lean source of protein and may provide your body with the building blocks it needs to build healthy cells.

Pesto

A main ingredient in pesto is olive oil, which contains monounsaturated fats. These type of healthy fats may help to reduce the inflammation associated with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Remission Remix

  • Add a Side for Extra Nutrients

    Add a side of steamed broccoli or toss salad to enjoy with this dish for extra nutrients.

  • For Increased Fiber and Nutrients

    Use half the amount of chicken in the recipe and replace with chickpeas or white beans for increased fiber and nutrients.

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