Easy Weeknight Leftovers

During the work and school week, it is always challenging to put something easy together for dinner that everyone will enjoy.  Especially when we've all had a busy day and are just getting home from after school activities.  This recipe is a good and easy alternative if you have some leftover grilled chicken in the refrigerator.  (We had about one breast (2 halves) of grilled chicken leftover from dinner a couple nights ago.)

So tonight, we cut up the chicken into bite size pieces, cooked up some noodles, stirred together an easy parmesan cheese sauce, heated up peas from the freezer and presto, our dinner was ready! 

Sarah and Emily love these gluten free Quinoa noodles.  In fact, many of their friends come over to dinner and just gobble them up.  The noodles taste great with a red spaghetti sauce as well as just butter, salt and pepper tossed with parmesan cheese.  We purchase these noodles in Colorado at Vitamin Cottage/Natural Grocer's and Whole Foods.

Also, we always have frozen peas in the freezer.  We buy the big bags of frozen peas and beans at Costco.  These frozen veggies are great add ins for a variety of meals, including stir fry dishes, salads and sides. 

Easy Chicken and Peas with Parmesan Cream Sauce

One grilled chicken breast (or 2 halves) cut in small, bite size pieces

One Box of Ancient Harvest Quinoa Linguine

1-2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

1/2 to 3/4 cup of Frozen Peas 

Parmesan Cream Sauce

One Tablespoon Butter

One Tablespoon Corn Starch

3/4 cup of Milk

1/4 cup of Grated Parmesan Cheese

Dash of Garlic Powder

Dash of Black Pepper

Dash of Red Cayenne Pepper

Fill large pasta pot with water and bring to boil.  Add 1-2 Tablespoons of olive oil to boiling water.  Add Quinoa and cook according to package instructions and until noodles are done.

Meanwhile, place peas in microwave safe dish, add water until peas are covered and place in microwave on high for 1-2 minutes.  Drain peas.  Place bite size chicken pieces on plate and microwave until warm, about one minute on high.

While the noodles are cooking and the peas and chicken are warming in the microwave, melt butter in small saucepan.  Reduce heat and stir in corn starch. Slowly add milk while stirring.  If there are lumps, mix briskly with wire whisk.  Allow sauce to thicken over low heat.  When sauce is thick and creamy, stir in grated parmesan cheese, garlic powder and pepper.

When the linguine noodles are done, strain in colander and place in bowl.  Top noodles with warmed chicken pieces and drained peas.  Pour parmesan cheese mixture over the top and stir until mixed together.  

Sarah and Emily loved this dish and topped it with extra grated parmesan cheese.  We hope you find this to be an easy weeknight dish for leftover chicken and that your family will enjoy!

Easy Chicken and Peas in Parmesan Cream Sauce