Chicken Pasta Bliss (Printable Version)
In just half an hour, combine tender chicken, fresh veggies, and cheesy pasta for a wholesome, easy-to-make one-pot dish.
# Ingredients:
→ Pasta and Protein
01 -
2 cups of cooked chicken, either shredded or chopped
02 -
2 cups of small broccoli pieces, cut into bite-sized chunks
03 -
8 oz of macaroni or any pasta you prefer
→ For the Cheese Sauce
04 -
1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese (optional for a richer taste)
05 -
1 tablespoon of unsalted butter
06 -
2 cups of whole or 2% milk
07 -
1 cup of sharp cheddar, shredded
08 -
1/4 cup of shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack
09 -
2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
→ Seasonings
10 -
A sprinkle of paprika or mustard powder (optional, but tasty)
11 -
1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
12 -
1/2 teaspoon of salt (feel free to adjust this)
13 -
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
# Steps:
01 -
Boil a big pot of water with some salt. Follow the pasta package for cooking times. Toss in the broccoli 2 minutes before the pasta's done. Drain everything together in a colander and put it aside.
02 -
Melt butter in the empty pot over medium heat. Sprinkle in flour and stir like crazy for a minute to cook away the raw flavor. This thickens the sauce later.
03 -
While whisking quickly, slowly add the milk to the pot. Keep whisking until there are no lumps. Let it simmer and thicken, which takes 3-4 minutes.
04 -
Mix in garlic powder, salt, pepper, plus paprika or mustard powder if using. Stir it all until the seasonings are evenly distributed.
05 -
Move the pot off the heat and start tossing in cheese, one handful at a time. Stir each batch until it’s completely melted before adding the next.
06 -
Put the chicken, pasta, and broccoli into the cheesy sauce. Gently fold everything to coat it evenly. If it’s cooled too much, warm it on low heat for a bit.
07 -
Scoop the creamy mix into bowls while still hot. Feeling fancy? Sprinkle more cheese or fresh herbs on top before serving.
# Notes:
01 -
Grab rotisserie chicken to cut down on prep time.
02 -
For a crispy crust, transfer to a baking dish, top with breadcrumbs and shredded cheese, then broil till golden.
03 -
If using frozen broccoli, steam it ahead of time, then mix it in.
04 -
This keeps well. Add a splash of milk while reheating to make it creamy again.