Cheesy Chicken Broccoli & Shells

This recipe was originally featured on Cooking Classy.

Ingredients:

• 9 oz shell pasta (little over half an average box)
• 1 lb boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 12 oz broccoli florets, diced into bite-size pieces (or 1 bag frozen broccoli florets)
• 2 1/2 Tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• Salt & pepper (to taste)
• 3 cups low-fat milk
• 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/3 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

• Boil pasta in a large, over-sized for just the noodles pot according to package directions. If using fresh broccoli, add florets during the last 3 – 4 minutes. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water in case you need to thin sauce later). If using frozen bag of broccoli florets, microwave following package instructions. You will be mixing all ingredients together in this pot which is why you want to use one larger than necessary for just making the pasta.
• Heat oil in large sauce pan, season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Brown chicken. Set aside in bowl for later or if noodles are done, place in the pot with noodles to keep warm. Add broccoli from microwave to this pot as well.
• In the same pan used to cook the chicken, melt butter over medium heat then stir in flour. Cook mixture stirring constantly to avoid clumps about 2 minutes until it is slightly golden and smooth. Add 1 cup of milk, stir constantly until fully incorporated with the roux. Repeat twice with the remaining two cups of milk. Season with onion powder and garlic powder and salt and pepper to taste. Increase heat to medium-high and continue to stir mixture continuously until it comes to a boil and thickens.
• Remove from heat, allow to cool for 1 minute, then add in cheeses. If necessary, thin sauce with 1 Tbsp reserved pasta water. Add cheese sauce mixture to pot with noodles, chicken and broccoli. Mix to coat.

Tips & Tricks:

• Go ahead and use the full bag of cheddar cheese. You just may need to thin the sauce more towards the end. Enjoy that cheddar goodness.
• This meal is very basic yet comforting. What to enhance it a bit? Try roasting broccoli florets and adding some heat to the cheese sauce with red pepper flakes or even a bit or cayenne pepper.