Cheesy Chicken Pasta
This ooey-gooey pasta dish is a crowd-pleaser for adults and kids alike--think rich and creamy macaroni-and-cheese tossed with cauliflower and chicken. Serve with a spinach salad.

Prep Time:
35 mins
Total Time:
35 mins
Servings:
6 servings, about 1 1/3 cups each
Ingredients
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8 ounces whole-wheat penne
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2 cups 1/2-inch cauliflower florets
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1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
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1/2 cup finely chopped onion
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1/2 cup dry white wine
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3 cups low-fat milk
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3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
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3/4 teaspoon salt
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1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
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1 cup shredded Gruyere, or Swiss cheese
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3 cups shredded cooked chicken , or turkey (12 ounces; see Tip)
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1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
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2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives, or scallion greens
Directions
1.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 5 minutes. Add cauliflower florets and cook until the pasta and florets are tender, about 4 minutes more. Drain, rinse and return to the pot.
2.
Meanwhile, heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, until tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Add wine and cook until reduced slightly, about 1 minute. Whisk milk, flour, salt and pepper together in a medium bowl and add to the pan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Cook, stirring, until thickened, about 1 minute. Reduce heat to low and stir in cheese until smooth. Stir chicken (or turkey) and mustard into the cheese sauce; cook until heated through, about 2 minutes.
3.
Stir the sauce into the drained pasta and cauliflower. Serve sprinkled with chives (or scallion greens).
Tip:
Tip: To poach chicken breasts, place boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a medium skillet or saucepan. Add lightly salted water to cover and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer gently until chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the middle, 10 to 12 minutes.
Nutrition information
Calories 433, Total Fat 13 g, Saturated Fat 5 g, Monounsaturated Fat 5 g, Cholesterol 75 mg, Sodium 491 mg, Carbohydrate 42 g, Fiber 5 g, Protein 34 g, Potassium 483 mg. Daily Values: Vitamin C 38%, Calcium 35%. Exchanges: Starch 2,Vegetable 1,Reduced-Fat Milk 0.5,Lean Meat 3.
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
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