ok, so you probably know that for the most part, we are a "natural family", meaning it is very rare that we use any processed foods in our diet.
However, there are those occassions that, like any normal parent, where I just need something a little different and quick to make for a meal (esp. when I am in the middle of moving...) and
Betty Crocker seems to be about the best place I could think to turn.
I discovered Betty's pastas only just recently and saw a recipe on the back of the Parmesan Asiago Penne that I thought looked yummy and figured I would give it a try :)
Southern Style Chicken & Broccoli Pastaby B.Smith
(and just a few changes made by me)
Of course, you need to start with 1 box of BC's Parmesan Asiago Penne
(or, for my family, 4 boxes.)
Cut up 8oz of chicken breast into bite size pieces (honestly, I just cut up as much as I thought my family would enjoy, which was 4lbs)
Heat 2 TBS butter or Extra Virgin Olive Oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
Add chicken to hot oil and cook for 7-9 minutes, or until no longer pink.
Remove chicken from pan and set aside.
You will also need 1 cup fresh broccoli. (I didn't have fresh, so I took out a bag of frozen and let it sit while the chicken was cooking to defrost. I also added some fresh, cubed zucchini since it's in season and I had some in my garden.)
Add 1 1/4 cups of water to the pan and bring to a boil. (I left the juices from the chicken to give some flavor to the water and obviously, I added a bit more water to my pan)
Add pasta to the boiling water and simmer uncovered over medium heat for 6 minutes.
Stir in broccoli (and zucchini)
Cook for 5-7 minutes longer, stirring, until pasta is tender.
Do not drain.
Add 3/4 cups milk (or 3 cups for mine)
Add the sauce mix packet
Add reserved chicken.
The recipe also calls for 1/8 tsp ground red pepper (cayenne), but instead, I just added 1/2 tsp.
Mrs. Dash
Mix all ingredients together. Heat to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring.
Simmer uncovered for 2-3 minutes or until sauce thickens.
Remove from heat ; let stand for 3 minutes.
Stir & serve.
(we had a good crusty buttered roll with dinner as well)
The kids LOVED it.
YUM!
