Ingredients
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 2 cups broccoli, cut into small florets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 chicken breasts, cooked and cut into small cubes
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. In the last 5 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets to the boiling water with the pasta.
- Drain the pasta and broccoli in a colander and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, until softened.
- Add the minced garlic, salt, and pepper, and cook for an additional 1 minute.
- Sprinkle the flour over the onion and garlic mixture, stirring constantly, and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Gradually whisk in the whole milk, stirring until smooth. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
- Stir in the grated parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
- Add the cooked pasta, broccoli, and diced chicken breasts to the pot with the parmesan sauce.
- Stir until everything is well coated and heated through, about 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer the Chicken and Broccoli Pasta to a serving bowl. Garnish with additional grated parmesan cheese if desired. Season to taste and serve hot.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add crushed red pepper flakes or a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.
- You can substitute other pasta shapes like fettuccine or spaghetti if preferred.
- For a lighter version, use skim milk or a dairy-free alternative and reduce the amount of cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
