About
Chicken & Broccoli Mac and Cheese may sound simple, but don’t underestimate the deliciousness of this meal! This recipe has it all — pasta, tender chicken, creamy cheese and crunchy broccoli. Best of all, it takes less than an hour to make and you end up with plenty of leftovers for later! Chicken & Broccoli Mac and Cheese is a full meal in one dish, so you can enjoy a full range of flavors in each bite!
Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounce) box penne
- 1 head broccoli, cut into bite-sized florets
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 cup milk, warmed
- 2 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
- 2 chicken breasts, cooked and chopped
Directions
Step 1 -Cook the penne in a large pot of salted, boiling water according to the package directions until al dente.
Step 2 -About 2-3 minutes before the pasta is al dente, add in the broccoli and let it cook with the pasta for the rest of the cooking time.
Step 3 -Drain and set the penne-broccoli mixture aside.
Step 4 -Melt the butter in another sauté pan over medium-high heat.
Step 5 -Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, stirring occasionally, about 1 minute.
Step 6 -Mix in the flour using a whisk until it is fully combined and cook until the flour smell dissipates, whisking occasionally, about 1 minute.
Step 7 -Slowly whisk in the chicken stock until it is smooth.
Step 8 -Slowly mix the milk into the pot, stopping when it is fully mixed.
Step 9 -Cook until the sauce mixture comes to a simmer, about 1-2 minutes.
Step 10 -Whisk the cheddar cheese, the parmesan cheese, the salt, and the pepper into the pot, mixing until the cheese sauce is completely smooth.
Step 11 -Remove the pot from the heat and pour the cheese sauce over top of the penne-broccoli mixture.
Step 12 -Add the chicken to the pot and toss until everything is fully mixed.
Step 13 -Serve hot.
