Why is it kids don’t like vegetables? A good portion of all
recipes I read that are geared toward families always say, “This recipe is a
good way to get your kids to eat their vegetables.”
I guess we were lucky with our kids. I would not say they
were perfect, but never caught either of them hiding their veggies in napkins,
knocking them off the plate, so the dog could eat them, or run to the bathroom
to spit it out. Once I did teach them, what their Auntie Angela used did when
she was little. When my sister didn’t like a vegetable my mom served, my sister
would stir it into her mashed potatoes to mask their taste. Whatever works
right?
I like this recipe because it is full of color and taste,
and the bonus is it uses wheat pasta, lean chicken breast and low sodium
chicken broth. This is a quick and easy meal,
which usually there aren’t any leftovers because the kids gobble it down.
Chicken Penne Pasta
8 oz uncooked whole wheat penne pasta, cooked per package
instructions minus the salt
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 onion, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
½ cup low sodium chicken broth
1 cup broccoli florets
½ teaspoon salt (I usually omit)
Ground pepper to taste
2 Tablespoon olive oil
3 Tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
3 oz parmesan cheese
Directions:
Coat large skillet with cooking spray and heat on medium
temp
Add chicken and cook 4 minutes on each side or until done
Remove chicken from pan, slice into strip, keep warm
Add onion garlic and red pepper to skillet and sauté 5-7minutes
Add chicken broth and broccoli, cover and cook for
3-5minutes, stir occasionally until broccoli is lightly steamed
In a large serving bowl, toss together pasta, vegetables and
chicken
Season with salt, pepper, and olive oil, garnish each
serving with basil and cheese
