Pasta is a staple in our home, and I’m pretty sure it’s true for many parents of picky eaters. My girls go through phases of wanting pasta everyday to not wanting it for a few weeks. Now that school is in session and our busy schedule is in full swing, pasta helps me create quick, healthy meals for dinner. The problem? While my girls are happy with plain pasta, my hubby and I like more variety. Perhaps a “dressed up” pasta. This is where Pasta Fits comes in. We can get recipe ideas for quick and easy weeknight meals that are restaurant-worthy. With fresh flavors like basil, tomatoes, and garlic, you can easily whip up an amazing meal with ingredients you already have in your kitchen.
Chicken is a typical option for many dinners at home. Everyone eats it, and it’s so versatile that you can never really get tired of it. The BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad from the Pasta Fits site sounded interesting enough to try, and it was so simple to make. The only thing I left out of this recipe was the collard greens because my girls may not have liked them, but everything else was a hit with them. Check out all the ingredients you need below. For the full recipe with directions, head over to the link.
- 12 oz. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tsp. vegetable oil
- 5 oz. collard greens, sliced into ½” lengths
- 1 cup/2 ¾ oz. medium shells or penne
- 1 (15.5 oz.) can black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup/4 oz. small diced Vidalia onion
- 6 Tbsp. prepared BBQ sauce
- ¼ cup/2 oz. low-fat Greek yogurt
Instead of prepared BBQ sauce, I decided to make my own quick concoction with ingredients I already had on hand. That’s the beauty of pasta recipes – you can really make it up as you go along and change things if necessary. I also substituted sun dried tomatoes for the collard greens so that we can make it a complete meal with a veggie too. It was a hit with everyone in the house!
Since October is National Pasta Month, I thought it would be fun to hear some of your favorite pasta recipes. You can get ideas for pasta recipes from the Pasta Fits website, and find more information like nutrition, suggestions, and tips. Be sure to follow Pasta Fits on Facebook to follow along the conversation and get news and updates. Incorporating pasta into your dinner routine is an easy way to prepare meals just about everyone in your family will love. With so many varieties of pasta, there’s something for everyone!
Nicole Dz says
I love Mac and Cheese too, one of my favorite sides. I love adding broccoli to mine also. So delish and I make mine extra cheesy.
Janet W. says
I love good pasta dishes! Thanks for sharing this recipe. I’m going to try it soon!
Laura J says
Oh that looks so good! We eat alot of pasta here. Its one of our favorites! I will have to give this a try!