Easy Cheesy Mac with Chicken and Broccoli

Home » In the Kitchen » Entrées - Main Dishes » Easy Cheesy Mac with Chicken and Broccoli

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. Posts may contain affiliate links.

Lightened up “mac & cheese” with chicken and broccoli for a healthy and satisfying weekday supper.

Easy Cheesy Mac with Chicken and Broccoli - a lighter and healthier mac & cheese recipe from Cosmopolitan Cornbread

Today I’m joining in with the Weekday Supper bloggers to bring you delicious suppers that are ready in just minutes.

To begin, if you have a oven top broiler that you can place a skillet under, begin preheating it. If you have a tiny “under everything” broiler – you’ll need to preheat your oven to 375 degrees instead. If using the oven, oil a 9×13 or so baking dish.

Start a pot of salted water to cook your pasta. I used a pound of conchiglie, but you can use a pound of whatever macaroni style pasta you like. Cook the pasta according to package directions, making note of a step you will take below before the pasta is done.

DSC_0005_edited-1

Meanwhile, cut two boneless, skinless chicken breasts into 3/4 inch pieces. Sprinkle with salt & pepper.

DSC_0007_edited-1

Heat a tablespoon and a half of extra virgin olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté the chicken until it is cooked through.

DSC_0008_edited-1

Add in a teaspoon of minced garlic and cook for just a minute.

DSC_0009

While the chicken is cooking, measure out 1 1/4 cup of milk and a cup of vegetable broth.

DSC_0010_edited-1

Add in 1/4 cup of flour.

DSC_0012_edited-1

Add in 1/8 teaspoon turmeric.

DSC_0013_edited-1

Whisk this together until smooth.

DSC_0014_edited-1

Pour the milk mixture into the skillet. Let this cook until the mixture begins to bubble and thickens a bit, stirring often.

DSC_0015_edited-1

Turn off the heat and stir in 2 ounces of shredded Cheddar cheese. Stir until it melts in.

DSC_0016_edited-1

When your pasta is just about done cooking, toss in 2 cups of frozen broccoli florets and let them cook with the pasta for the final 2 minutes.

DSC_0019_edited-1

Drain the pasta and broccoli.

DSC_0021_edited-1

Add the pasta and broccoli to the skillet and gently stir it all together. If using your broiler, leave it in the skillet. If using the oven, pour the mixture into the baking dish. Top with 3 ounces of additional shredded cheddar cheese.

DSC_0023_edited-1

Broil for 3-5 minutes or bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Easy Cheesy Mac with Chicken and Broccoli - a lighter and healthier mac & cheese recipe from Cosmopolitan Cornbread

Enjoy!

Easy Cheesy Mac with Chicken and Broccoli - a lighter and healthier mac & cheese recipe from Cosmopolitan Cornbread

Easy Cheesy Mac with Chicken and Broccoli - a lighter and healthier mac & cheese recipe from Cosmopolitan Cornbread

Easy Cheesy Mac with Chicken & Broccoli

Constance Smith - Cosmopolitan Cornbread
Lightened up “mac & cheese” with chicken and broccoli for a healthy and satisfying weekday supper.
Be the First to Rate This!
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Entrées - Main Dishes
Cuisine American
Servings 5
Calories 412 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb macaroni or similar pasta
  • 2 c frozen or fresh broccoli florets
  • 2 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 1/2 Tb extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 1/4 c milk
  • 1 c vegetable broth
  • 1/8 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/4 c flour
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 5 oz sharp cheddar cheese, divided

Instructions
 

  • To begin, if you have a oven top broiler that you can place a skillet under, begin preheating it. If you have a tiny “under everything” broiler – you’ll need to preheat your oven to 375 degrees instead. If using the oven, oil a 9×13 or so baking dish.
  • Start a pot of salted water to cook your pasta. I used a pound of conchiglie, but you can use a pound of whatever macaroni style pasta you like. Cook the pasta according to package directions, making note of a step you will take below before the pasta is done.
  • Meanwhile, cut the chicken breasts into 3/4 inch pieces. Sprinkle with the salt & pepper. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté the chicken until it is cooked through. Add in the minced garlic and cook for just a minute.
  • While the chicken is cooking, whisk the milk, vegetable broth, flour and turmeric together until smooth. Pour the milk mixture into the skillet. Let this cook, stirring often, until the mixture begins to bubble and thickens a bit.
  • Turn off the heat and stir in 2 ounces of the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until it melts in. When your pasta is just about done cooking, toss in the frozen broccoli florets and let them cook with the pasta for the final 2 minutes.
  • Drain the pasta and broccoli. Add the pasta and broccoli to the skillet and gently stir it all together. If using your broiler, leave it in the skillet. If using the oven, pour the mixture into the baking dish. Top with the remaining 3 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese. Broil for 3-5 minutes or bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1cCalories: 412kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 27gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 61mgSodium: 536mgFiber: 4gSugar: 2g

Nutritional information is auto-generated and the accuracy is not guaranteed.

Did You Try This?I'd Love For You to Share it on Instagram and tag me! @CosmopolitanCornbread

4 thoughts on “Easy Cheesy Mac with Chicken and Broccoli”

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.