Creamy Chicken Broccoli Cheddar Pasta (Printable Version)

Creamy pasta with tender chicken, broccoli florets, and sharp cheddar sauce. A comfort food favorite that's easy to prepare.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz penne or rotini pasta

→ Protein

02 - 2 chicken breasts (about 12 oz), cut into bite-size pieces

→ Vegetables

03 - 2 cups broccoli florets
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Dairy and Cheese

05 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
06 - 2 cups whole milk
07 - 1.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

→ Pantry

08 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

→ Seasonings and Oils

09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
10 - 0.5 teaspoon salt, plus more for pasta water
11 - 0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper
12 - 0.5 teaspoon paprika, optional

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions, adding broccoli florets during the final 2 minutes of cooking. Drain and set aside.
02 - While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 5-7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Sprinkle flour over the mixture and whisk continuously for 1 minute to form a smooth roux.
04 - Gradually pour milk into the roux while whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue cooking for 3-4 minutes until the sauce reaches a smooth, thickened consistency.
05 - Stir in shredded cheddar cheese, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Reduce heat to low and mix until cheese completely melts and sauce becomes silky and homogeneous.
06 - Add cooked pasta, broccoli, and reserved chicken to the skillet. Toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly with the cheese sauce. Heat for 1-2 minutes until warmed through.
07 - Transfer to serving dishes immediately. Garnish with additional shredded cheddar cheese or fresh herbs if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in under an hour, and most of it happens in one skillet, which means less cleanup and more time to actually sit down and eat.
  • The cheddar sauce is silky and rich without feeling heavy, and it clings to the pasta in a way that makes every bite satisfying.
  • It's one of those meals that works for picky eaters and adults alike, no separate dinners required.
  • You can toss in whatever vegetables you have on hand, and it still tastes like comfort in a bowl.
02 -
  • If you add the milk too fast or don't whisk enough, your sauce will clump up, so take your time and pour it in gradually while stirring.
  • Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly, so shred your own block of sharp cheddar for the best results.
  • Don't skip salting your pasta water generously, it's your only chance to season the pasta itself and it makes a noticeable difference in the final dish.
03 -
  • Reserve a cup of pasta water before you drain, and if your sauce seems too thick, stir in a few tablespoons to loosen it up without losing flavor.
  • Season your chicken well before cooking, even just salt and pepper makes a huge difference in how flavorful the final dish tastes.
  • Use a large skillet so everything fits comfortably when you toss it together, overcrowding makes it harder to coat everything evenly.
  • Taste the sauce before adding the pasta and adjust the seasoning, it's easier to fix it now than after everything is mixed in.
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