Creamy Pesto Pasta with Chicken and Broccoli
Creamy Pesto Pasta with Chicken and Broccoli packs 39g protein and 583 calories per serving, combining complete carbs and protein in a single dish. Quick stovetop execution produces 4 servings, cutting meal prep sessions from hours to minutes. Use it as a post-workout staple that covers protein and carb requirements simultaneously.
Ingredients
- •Pasta, Farfalle (Bow Tie), White, Dry(227g)
- •Broccoli(227g)
- •Olive oil(15g)
Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.
- •Chicken Breast, Boneless Skinless(454g)
Boneless skinless. Buy in bulk and freeze — Costco rotisserie packs work too.
- •Basil Pesto, Prepared(80g)
- •Low Sodium Chicken Broth(120g)
- •Cream Cheese(113g)
Standard block cream cheese. Neufchatel (1/3 less fat) is a good swap.
Instructions
- 1Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the farfalle pasta and cook 7–8 minutes over high heat, stirring occasionally, until tender but still slightly firm in the center. Add the broccoli florets and cook 2–3 minutes over high heat until the broccoli is bright green and tender-crisp. Drain in a colander and set aside.
- 2While the pasta cooks, cut the chicken breast into ½-inch pieces. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 1–2 minutes.
- 3Add the chicken pieces to the hot skillet and cook 5–7 minutes over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the outside is opaque white and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- 4Pour the chicken broth into the skillet with the chicken and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, about 1–2 minutes. Add the cream cheese (cut into small pieces) and basil pesto, then stir continuously 2–3 minutes over medium heat until the cream cheese melts completely and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- 5Add the drained pasta and broccoli to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the sauce, cooking 1–2 minutes over medium heat until heated through. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash more chicken broth and stir until you reach desired consistency.
- 6Divide evenly into 4 airtight containers while hot. Cool to room temperature before sealing and refrigerating.
Nutrition — Per Serving
583
calories
39g
protein
25g
fat
- Carbohydrates
- 50g
- Saturated fat
- 8.5g
- Sodium
- 322 mg
- Dietary fiber
- 3.6g
4 servings per batch · ~309g each
Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central
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How much protein does Creamy Pesto Pasta with Chicken and Broccoli have per serving?
Each serving contains 39g of protein and 583 calories, with 25g fat and 50g carbs. This is a balanced macro profile that supports post-workout recovery with solid protein and carbohydrate content.
How long does Creamy Pesto Pasta with Chicken and Broccoli take to make?
This is marked as quick prep and makes 4 servings on the stovetop in one batch. You'll have multiple complete dinners with protein, vegetables, and carbs ready for the week.
Is Creamy Pesto Pasta with Chicken and Broccoli good for muscle gain?
At 39g protein and 50g carbs per serving (583 total calories), this recipe is well-suited for a muscle-building phase where you need both protein for synthesis and carbs for training performance. The 4-serving batch fits cleanly into a week of post-workout meals.
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