Broccoli & Chicken Pasta with White Sauce
Author: 
Recipe type: Main
Cuisine: Italian
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 4 servings
 
Ingredients
  • Short pasta – 250 gms (I used Amori, you can use penne, rigatoni or any short pasta)
  • Broccoli – 250 gms, cut into florets
  • Chicken breast – 250 gms, boneless and skinless
  • Unsalted butter – 3 tbsp
  • Vegetable oil – 4 tbsp
  • Garlic – 5 to 7 cloves, minced
  • All-purpose flour – 1 tbsp
  • Milk – 1 & ½ cups
  • Heavy cream – ½ cup
  • Extra virgin olive oil – 1 tsp (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Boil a large pot of heavily salted water and cook the pasta in it as per the package instructions. Once the pasta is al dente, reserve a cup of pasta water and drain the rest. Keep the pasta in a colander until further use.
  2. Steam the broccoli florets for 10 minutes until cooked but still crunchy. Season with salt and set them aside.
  3. Wash and pat dry the chicken breast and season both sides with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoon of butter in a frying pan and place the chicken breast on it. Let the chicken cook without disturbance and develop a deep golden color. This could take anywhere between 10 to 15 minutes on medium-low heat. Then flip it over and cook the other side until deep golden brown. Take it out and set aside.
  4. In a deep pot, add the remaining butter and the oil. Once hot, add the minced garlic and saute for a minute.
  5. Then add the flour and keep stirring on low heat until the raw smell of the flour is gone; but make sure not to burn the flour otherwise you will have to start all over again.
  6. Add the milk and heavy cream and keep stirring. As the milk starts to boil, the sauce will become thicker. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Once the sauce comes to your desired consistency, turn off the flame.
  7. Before mixing pasta and broccoli with the sauce, I like to toss or stir fry them in some garlic oil for some extra flavor. It is entirely my personal touch and I am sure you will like it too!
  8. Now take the pasta and broccoli in a deep pot and pour the white sauce over it. Give a mix with light hands ensuring all the broccoli florets do not break down.
  9. Cut the sautéed chicken breast into strips and serve over pasta. Drizzle few drops of extra virgin olive oil if needed and serve your warm chicken pasta with white sauce with your favorite red wine. Enjoy!
Recipe by Flavor Quotient at http://www.flavorquotient.com/2016/11/broccoli-and-chicken-pasta-with-white-sauce/