Green Chicken Pasta

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

Total time: 20 minutes

Yield: 4 Servings

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts, diced and cooked
• 2 cups pasta of choice
• 1 bunch of broccoli, roughly chopped and stems removed
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 1 small jar of artichoke hearts
• 1 tsp. dried basil
• 1/3 package of cream cheese (about 1/3 cup)
• 3 Tbsp. green pesto
• Zest and juice of half a lemon
• Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Pine nuts, optional

Directions:

1. Boil the pasta in a large saucepan according to package directions. Drain, and reserve some pasta water to thin the sauce later.
2. While the pasta is cooking, steam the broccoli for 3-5 minutes and cook the diced chicken for 5-6 minutes or until cooked through.
3. Add the broccoli, chicken, frozen peas, spinach, and artichoke hearts to the saucepan with the pasta.  
4. Add the basil, cream cheese, pesto, lemon zest, lemon juice, and a huge pinch of salt and pepper.  Stir until everything is incorporated.  Thin the sauce with pasta water, if desired.
5. Serve hot with crushed red pepper flakes and pine nuts, if desired.