Pasta with Fresh Vegetables and Cilantro Pesto

Name: Pasta with Fresh Vegetables and Cilantro Pesto
Prep time: 35 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups firmly packed fresh cilantro leaves; 1/2 cup grated Romano cheese (2 oz); 1/4 cup chopped walnuts; 1 clove garlic; 1/4 cup olive oil; 4 tablespoons Greek plain yogurt, from 6 oz container; 1 package (12 oz) orecchiette (tiny disks) pasta, 3 cups; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1/2 cup chopped onion; 1 1/2 pints (3 cups) grape tomatoes, halved; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup shredded cooked chicken; 2 medium zucchini, peeled into ribbons

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Prep 35 min
Total 35 min
Ingredients 13
Servings 6

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Toss chicken and vegetables with pasta to enjoy a hearty dinner. Cilantro pesto made using yogurt provides a tasty addition to this recipe.

by Qué Rica Vida Cocina

Updated Sep 27, 2013

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Ingredients

Cilantro Pesto

1 1/2 cups firmly packed fresh cilantro leaves
1/2 cup grated Romano cheese (2 oz)
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1 clove garlic
1/4 cup olive oil
4 tablespoons Greek plain yogurt, from 6 oz container

Pasta

1 package (12 oz) orecchiette (tiny disks) pasta, 3 cups
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 1/2 pints (3 cups) grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup shredded cooked chicken
2 medium zucchini, peeled into ribbons

Directions

1

In food processor, place all pesto ingredients except yogurt. Cover; process on medium speed about 1 minute, scraping sides, until finely chopped. Stir in yogurt. Set aside.
2

Cook and drain pasta as directed on package. Return to saucepan; cover to keep warm.
3

Meanwhile, in 10-inch skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir 2 minutes. Stir in chicken, tomatoes, salt and pesto; cook and stir about 5 minutes or until mixture is hot.
4

Stir zucchini and chicken mixture into pasta until evenly coated. Serve hot.

Nutrition Information

500 Calories, 20g Total Fat, 23g Protein, 57g Total Carbohydrate, 6g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving

Calories: 500

Calories from Fat: 180

Total Fat: 20g; 31%

Saturated Fat: 4g; 21%

Trans Fat: 0g

Cholesterol: 30mg; 9%

Sodium: 380mg; 16%

Potassium: 600mg; 17%

Total Carbohydrate: 57g; 19%

Dietary Fiber: 5g; 21%

Sugars: 6g

Protein: 23g

% Daily Value*:

Vitamin A: 25%; 25%

Vitamin C: 20%; 20%

Calcium: 15%; 15%

Iron: 15%; 15%

Exchanges:

3 1/2 Starch; 0 Fruit; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 1 1/2 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 1 1/2 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 2 1/2 Fat;

Carbohydrate Choice

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

More About This Recipe

Toss chicken and vegetables with pasta to enjoy a hearty dinner. Cilantro pesto made using yogurt provides a tasty addition to this recipe.