Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta
A meal the whole family can agree on can be hard to come by, but this one definitely makes the cut. Better yet, it’s easy to make and if you happen to already have some cooked chicken sitting in the fridge or freezer then you’ve got a meal in no time. I made this chicken and broccoli pasta much lighter than a traditional mac and cheese by using low-fat milk and no cream, using only a small amount of butter, and using reduced fat cheddar cheese. Plus, I added a bonus of a protein and veggie to make it more of a meal in one, so there’s actually some nutrition in there. I actually prefer a mac like this versus one with all the fat because it’s not so heavy and I feel fine about eating it. I mean, with 4 1/2 cups broccoli how could it be bad? If you insist on making this shells and cheese richer, you could use regular fat cheddar and replace a little of the milk with cream (if doing so, I’d reduce the flour by 1 Tbsp). One more delicious, perfectly creamy and filling dish to add to the rotation. Enjoy!
Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Ingredients
For this easy mac and cheese recipe, you’ll need:
Large shell pasta Cooked chicken breasts Broccoli florets Butter All-purpose flour Spices (onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper) Low-fat milk Reduced fat cheddar cheese Parmesan cheese
How to Make Chicken and Broccoli Pasta
Boil pasta according to the package instructions. Add the broccoli in during the last 3 to 4 minutes of cooking. While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large saucepan and stir in the flour. Whisk in the milk, followed by the seasonings. Continue cooking until the mixture thickens.
Stir in the cheese, then the cooked pasta and broccoli.
Can I Make This With Another Type of Pasta?
Yes, any short, sturdy pasta should work for this recipe (like macaroni or rotini). Avoid thinner pastas like spaghetti for this recipe.
Should I Use Fresh or Frozen Broccoli?
I think fresh broccoli is best in this shells and cheese recipe, but if you use frozen I recommend thawing it first and draining it before adding it to the boiling pasta water.
Tips for the Best Chicken and Broccoli Pasta
To add more flavor to this dish, use extra sharp cheddar cheese. You can also increase the amount of cheese you use. Feel free to add different veggies to this recipe. Peas and finely diced carrots would work well in this pasta recipe too. Reserve some of the pasta water in case you need to thin the cheese sauce.
More Easy Pasta Recipes You’ll Love:
Lemon-Parmesan Angel Hair Pasta with Shrimp Creamy Chicken and Asparagus Pasta Pesto Pasta with Shrimp and Asparagus Cajun Chicken Pasta Classic Stovetop Mac and Cheese
