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Chicken Pasta Primavera Recipe

A vibrant dish featuring tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and pasta tossed in a light, flavorful sauce. Perfect for a quick, healthy meal bursting with colors and nutrients.

Ingredients

• 1 cup fat free milk
• 1/3 cup fresh grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup 1/3 less fat cream cheese
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 2 teaspoons cajun seasoning
• olive oil spray
• Kosher salt
• fresh pepper
• 6 ounces fresh thin asparagus, ends trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces
• 1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 8 ounces bow tie pasta, or other cut pasta, wheat or gluten free
• 2 medium leeks, cleaned and white and light green parts thinly sliced
• 1 14 ounce can artichoke hearts, drained, rinsed, and quartered if necessary
• 1 cup frozen peas, no need to thaw
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil

Instructions

1. Step 1: Blend the Cheesy Mixture
   Grab your trusty blender and pour in the milk, freshly grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese, and the reduced-fat cream cheese. Give it a good whirl until everything's blended smoothly. Set this creamy concoction aside for later—it's going to work its magic soon!

2. Step 2: Spice Up the Chicken
   Take your chicken pieces and sprinkle them generously with Cajun seasoning. This step infuses the chicken with a delightful hint of spice, adding depth to the dish. Set it aside for now, letting those flavors mingle and marry.

3. Step 3: Sauté the Chicken
   Heat a large pot over high heat until it's scorching hot. Once ready, give it a quick spray with olive oil. Toss in the seasoned chicken, adding a pinch of salt and a dash of pepper to taste. Let it sizzle away, spreading it out in a single layer. After about 3 minutes, flip the chicken to brown the other side. Keep cooking until all sides are beautifully browned and the chicken is thoroughly cooked, which will take around 2 to 3 more minutes. Move the chicken to a plate and let it rest.

4. Step 4: Deglaze the Pot
   With a splash of chicken broth, deglaze the pot, ensuring to scrape up those delicious browned bits sticking to the bottom. These bits are flavor gold—you'll want them in your dish!

5. Step 5: Cook the Pasta and Leeks
   Pour in the rest of the chicken broth, the blended cream cheese mixture, pasta, and leeks into the pot. Stir well to combine everything and raise the heat until it reaches a rolling boil. Once boiling, cover the pot tightly, reduce the heat to medium-low, and let it simmer gently. Remember to stir occasionally, ensuring the pasta cooks evenly, for about 15 minutes.

6. Step 6: Check Pasta Doneness
   Test the pasta to see if it's al dente. If it’s not there yet or if there’s still a bit too much liquid in the pot, cover and let it cook for another minute or so. Patience here will pay off with perfect pasta texture.

7. Step 7: Add Veggies
   When the pasta reaches the ideal tenderness, introduce the asparagus and artichokes to the pot. Give it a gentle stir, cover, and let it cook until the asparagus is crisp-tender, the pasta is perfectly done, and most of the liquid has been absorbed. This should take about 3 more minutes.

8. Step 8: Incorporate Chicken and Peas
   Uncover the pot and add the cooked chicken, along with any juices that have collected on the plate, and toss in the frozen peas. Stir everything together, allowing it to cook for just 30 seconds more to warm the peas through.

9. Step 9: Finish with Fresh Basil
   Finally, remove the pot from the heat and fold in the fresh basil. This adds a lovely aromatic touch to the dish. Serve your creation with a sprinkle of extra parmesan on top, if you like, and enjoy this vibrant meal that’s sure to bring smiles to the table!

Notes

Cooking Chicken Pasta Primavera can sometimes trip folks up, but with a few pointers, you'll be a pasta pro in no time.

One frequent hiccup is overcooking the pasta. Keep an eye on it and taste-test for that perfect al dente texture. Remember, it keeps cooking after you turn off the heat!

Another stumble can happen with the chicken—ensure the pot is hot enough before adding it. This prevents steaming, which leads to rubbery bites instead of deliciously browned pieces.

Be careful with those vibrant veggies. Toss them in just a few minutes before serving to maintain their crispness.

Lastly, don't forget to blend the sauce well; lumps of cream cheese can sneak up on you. A smooth sauce makes a world of difference!