Toddler Meals: Pasta with Chicken & Avocado Pesto

A toddler-friendly version of my chicken linguine with avocado pesto, this dish is fun, healthy, and delicious.  Instead of a mostly basil pesto, I made an avocado and spinach pesto with just a few basil leaves so it wasn't overpowering for my Peanut.  I also added some green peas to the sauce for some added greens and smooth texture.  Instead of linguine, choose a smaller pasta, such as stars, alphabets, or even rice.  Here's how Mama makes it:

Pasta with Chicken & Avocado Pesto

Ingredients:

- 1 lb. ground chicken

- 1/2 c. spinach, cooked

- few basil leaves

- 1 ripe avocado

- 1/2 c. cooked green peas (I used frozen)

- 1/2 c. cottage cheese

- 1/2 t. lemon juice (prevents avocado from browning)

- 1 1/2 c. small pasta, uncooked



Directions:

1.  In a medium sauce pan, add peas and 1/4 c. water; bring to a boil.  Add the spinach, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for about 5 minutes.  Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot according to package directions, then drain and return to pan.  (reserve some of the pasta water to thin the sauce).

  



2. Brown the chicken over medium-high heat, adding a small amount of olive oil, if necessary. Be sure to crumble the chicken as much as possible to make it easier for little ones to eat. Set aside.



 3.  For the sauce, blend peas, spinach, basil leaves, avocado, and lemon juice.  Add about 3-4 ladels of pasta water to thin the sauce.



4.  Combine chicken, pasta, sauce, and cottage cheese.  Add additional pasta water as needed to make a creamier sauce.

printable recipe

And now, a word from the silliest food critic ever...

hmm... interesting...

pleasing!

lounge like you have a belly full of pasta

such a lady!

pairs well with some cold milk