Garden Chicken Alfredo

This is a great dish that can feed many tummies with the same effort it takes to feed just one. I would call this “semi-homemade” but I don’t want to be compared to Sandra Lee. I have honestly never attempted to make my own alfredo. It seems simple enough – but not as simple as buying it in a jar. Try this dish with different combos of vegetables. Just remember, most pasta dishes taste best when the colors of the Italian flag are represented. Something green (broccoli, peas, basil, etc), something white (cheese, alfredo, onion, etc), something red (tomatoes, red pepper, pepper flakes, etc). Endless possibilities!

Cook-to-Consume Time: 30 min

Difficulty: 1 2 3 4

Ingredients:

• Chicken - 2 boneless thighs
• Pasta - 3/4 box
• Alfredo sauce - 1 jar
• Garlic - 1 teaspoon
• Broccoli - 1 bunch
• Grape tomatoes - 1/2 container
• Optional: Sun-dried tomatoes - 10 tomatoes
• Optional: Grated parmesan - to taste

Directions:

(Pasta)

1. Bring water to boil in large pot
2. Add pinch of salt (for taste) and olive oil (to keep the bubbles down)
3. Add pasta

(Prep)

1. While pasta is cooking:

• Wash and cut broccoli
• Wash and halve grape tomatoes
• Chop sun-dried tomatoes into 1/4" slivers
• Chop garlic
• Cut chicken to bite-size chunks

The amount of each ingredient you use, is up to you. If you like a lot of broccoli, go nuts. If you like tomatoes, go nuts. Just remember to keep your vegetable to sauce ratio in mind.

NOTE: I used to preach the importance of using fresh garlic, but 1. I don't like how it makes my fingers smell for 2 days and 2. I can't be bothered anymore and 3. Chopped jarred garlic lasts longer and makes my life easier. Only problem is that these dang jars are so hard to open! When MrMuscles isn't around, I go for the smack-edge-with-spoon technique my mom taught me. Works every time.

(Assembly)

1. Drain pasta and wash with cold water (stops over-cooking) and add a little olive oil (keeps from sticking)
2. Turn heat to High
3. Add olive oil to same pot (1 less pan to wash)
4. Add garlic (don't burn the garlic!)
5. Add chicken and cook until almost (but not fully) done
6. Add broccoli and sun-dried tomatoes (2 min)
7. Add alfredo sauce and grape tomatoes (these go last; otherwise they overcook and lose their shape)
8. Plate pasta and add sauce on top
9. Eat & Be Happy!