Creamy Bow-Ties with Chicken.

As you know, every once in awhile Maddie invites her best friend over to play and have dinner with us. But, her friend doesn't actually get much dinner! Poor little thing usually has three bites and she is done. I was determined to find something she would love and gobble up. I couldn't wait to tell her Mom, "She ate up her whole plate and asked for seconds!!" I know she likes chicken and pasta so I tried this recipe from my trusty "Great Food Fast" book - specifically because it contained both of those ingredients and it says in the description, "This attractive dish is perfect for entertaining, but it's so quick and easy you'll want to make it for the family. Kids love it!" Perfect!

Creamy Bow-Ties with Chicken, Spinach and Peppers

Ingredients List:

6 oz Bow-tie Pasta
12 oz boneless skinless chicken breasts, but into strips
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 cup julienned red bell peppers
2 cups shredded fresh spinach
2 tsp lemon juice
1 tbsp flour
1 tsp minced garlic
2 cups milk
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp black pepper
3/4 cup shredded old white Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.

Directions:

1. In a large pot of boiling water, cook pasta until tender but firm; drain. Rinse under hot water; drain. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

2. Meanwhile, spray a large skillet with vegetable spray. Add chicken strips and cook over medium-high heat for 4 to 5 minutes or until browned and juices run clear when chicken is pierced with a fork. Transfer to a plate.

3. In the same skillet, heat 1 tsp. of the oil over medium heat. Add peppers and saute for 3 to 4 minutes or until slightly softened. Stir in spinach and cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until wilted. Stir in lemon juice. Transfer vegetables to a bowl and set aside.

4. In the same pot used for cooking pasta, heat remaining oil over medium heat; blend in flour. Add garlic and milk; cook whisking constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in salt, nutmeg and pepper. Remove from heat. Add Cheddar cheese and stir until blended. Add pasta, chicken and vegetables to sauce; stir until combined. Serve sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.

Verdicts:

I found out that Maddie's friend does not like red peppers and she gave those a thumbs down. However, she said she loved the chicken and the pasta and gave those two thumbs up! But, still, she didn't eat very much at all. Maybe she's just too excited about playing to eat. I feel bad that I'm not filling her up better, though. We'll keep trying!

My girls both said they loved this recipe and Jamie ate it all. Maddie ate most of it but I think she, too, just wanted to get going to play.

Dave and I both really enjoyed it and we both gave it an 8 out of 10 which is a high enough rating to put this one into steady rotation. It makes great left-overs, too!

The best part of dinner, though...definitely had to be dessert.

:-)

For more great recipes check out What's Cooking Wednesday brought to you by the birthday girl...The Fairy BlogMother!