Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta

Some of my favorite dishes are the ones that are on the table in 30 minutes or less and that do not require a lot of dishes. This wonderfully cheesy pasta dish happens to be one of those. One pot, a spoon, a whisk and 30 minutes is all you need to prepare this meal, oh and of course all of the ingredients.

If you do not happen to have precooked chicken and need to cook some, it will take a little bit longer. But if you start the chicken first it should be ready by the time you need to add it to the cheese sauce. And if you are really lucky, like me, your husband will volunteer to cook and shred the chicken for you. Well, volunteer to cook the chicken and persuaded to shred it is more like it.

Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta

Ingredients:

• 16 ounce gemelli pasta
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoon all purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
• black pepper, to taste
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 2 cups frozen broccoli

Directions:

1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions and add the frozen broccoli during the last few minutes of cook time. Drain the pasta and broccoli.
2. While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a large pot, over medium heat.
3. Whisk in the flour and continue to whisk constantly for 2-3 minutes or until the mixture is golden color.
4. Slowly add in the milk while whisking constantly. Continue to whisk until the mixture thickens.
5. Slowly add in the chicken broth while whisking constantly. Season with black pepper and continue to whisk until the mixture thickens.
6. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cheese. Continue to stir until all the cheese has melted.
7. Add in the pasta, broccoli and shredded chicken. Stir to mix and heat on low until everything is heated.

Enjoy!!!

Notes:

Sometime I can not find gemeli pasta, so I substitute with another short pasta.

Nutrition Facts
Servings 6
Amount Per Serving
Calories 661
Total Fat		19.2g
Saturated Fat		2.4g
Polyunsaturated Fat		0.1g
Monounsaturated Fat		1g
Trans Fat		0.2g
Cholesterol		18.8g
Sodium		568.9g
Potassium		76.4g
Total Carbohydrates		63.5g
Dietary Fiber		3.4g
Sugars		7.3g
Protein		60.6g
Vitamin A 5.7% Vitamin C 20.7%
Calcium 11.5% Iron 19.2%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from The Baker Upstairs.