In an amazing development for great grocery options in my area, a brand new Trader Joe’s has opened and I am OBSESSED. I have never had regular access to a Trader Joe’s so I am excited to try all of the wonderful options they have to offer. This meal combines some delicious ready-to-use items to get a satisfying meal on the table in less than 30 minutes.

This is my Trader Joe’s grocery haul for this recipe.

Ingredients Needed:

• One bag pre-cooked grilled chicken strips
• One package refrigerated cheese torellini
• One jar Trader Joe’s Limone Alfredo sauce
• Baby broccoli
• One lemon
• Fresh basil leaves (6-7 leaves, chop fine)
• One lemon (we are using zest from this lemon)
• High quality butter
• Garlic
• Salad kit of your choice (I chose the lemony arugula basil)
• Parmesan cheese
• Salt, pepper, olive oil

I also had a package of Texas garlic toast in the freezer from Walmart so we had that.

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven for garlic bread. Bake according to package directions. Prepare bagged salad.
2. In a large skillet with higher sides (you will be cooking the sauce in here too), melt 2tbsp high quality butter with 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add chicken strips and cook until heated through, about 5-6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add garlic and stir 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Take chicken out of pan and set aside.
3. In a stock pot, start boiling salted water for the tortellini.
4. In the skillet, add your broccoli with a drizzle of olive oil and 1 tbsp butter. Season with salt and pepper. Add 1 tbsp lemon zest. Cook until broccoli starts to soften and brown in the pan, about 6-7 minutes. Add 1 tsp garlic and stir until fragrant, 1-2 minutes. Remove broccoli and wipe out the pan.
5. Add the tortellini to the boiling water and cook according to package directions. When done, take the tortellini out of the water with a slotted spoon. Do NOT drain the pasta water. It is magical and you need that. Reserve 1/2 cup-1 cup of pasta water.
6. Reduce skillet heat to low. Add the jar of alfredo sauce, 1 tbsp butter, and pasta water until your alfredo sauce is your desired consistency. Add the chicken and tortellini into the sauce and simmer for 3-4 minutes. Stir fresh basil into pasta.
7. Serve pasta and top with parmesan cheese. Serve alongside broccoli, bread, and salad.