Eating For Fitness Shouldn’t be Dull

Here are two healthy recipes from international eventer Darren Chiacchia.

Here are two one of my favorite quick dishes. I like to keep the ingredients on hand.

Darren Chiacchia | Photo Copyright Brant Gamma

Pesto Chicken Pasta

I keep Knorr pesto sauce available at all times in case I can’t make fresh or get fresh from a store. Keeping several boxes or bags of frozen peas available for several recipes is also very handy. I think peas are the best of the frozen vegetables.

I bring a pasta pot to a boil. While water is heating I slice 2-3 chicken breasts into small chunks, (easier while still frozen). Then I saut? the chicken in a fry pan or wok in olive oil; this takes about the same time as cooking the pasta.

Add 1 lb. pasta of choice (I like wagon wheel or bow-ties) to boiling water. While it’s cooking, I start warming the pesto sauce on stove top or microwave–it just takes a couple of minutes. When the pasta is 2-3 minutes from being done, I add the frozen peas in with the pasta, which saves one pan to clean. You may also add some sliced garlic to the pasta; I add several cloves. When pasta is done, drain and place in a large bowl or back in the pot, add pesto and stir.

Now pour the sauted chicken chunks over the pasta, and you’re ready to go.

Optional additions: one chopped red pepper and one can of sliced black olives, which also add color and give the dish a very appealing look.

Next is a simple chicken dish:

Baked Chicken Over Rice or Potatoes

Ingredients:
1 whole chicken cut up and extra chicken pieces of your choice, legs, thighs, etc
long-cooking rice or
potatoes
garlic
onion
olive oil
vinegar
frozen peas, baby carrots (optional)

Place 2-3 cups water in bottom of large baking dish or two smaller dishes

Add 2-3 cups rice to bottom of dish(es}, or 3-4 sliced potatoes; you may also add peas and/or a bag of baby carrots to make this a complete one-dish meal.

Add sliced onion and or garlic to your liking

Place chicken parts over top

Drizzle or brush a little olive oil on top. I use a sprayer

Season with salt and pepper or seasoning of your choice. Cover with aluminum foil and place in preheated 350-degree oven. Bake for about 45 minutes, then take top off for 10 minutes to brown.

Both of theses recipes are inexpensive to prepare and require few pots and pans; they’re well-balanced meals that taste great and give you handy leftovers.

SHARE THIS STORY
CATEGORIES
TAGS
RELATED ARTICLES
AD1_3477
Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH Maintain Their Lead Following Cross Country at the 2025 Kentucky CCI5*-L
XCJump_18ACombination_Option2
Massive Jumps Make up the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event Cross-Country Course
AD6_8689
Jung Impresses on Day 1 at the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L
SharonJog
Horses and Fashion Shine at 2025 Kentucky First Horse Inspection
Practical Horseman
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.