Cheesy Chicken Pasta
A creamy, high-protein pasta with chicken, broccoli, and cheddar cheese, delivering 30g protein per serving, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
For the Pasta:
- 8 oz whole wheat pasta penne or rotini
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed
- 1 cup broccoli florets chopped
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup low-fat milk
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 small onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
For Garnish (Optional):
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Boil salted water in a large pot; cook pasta until al dente, drain, and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; cook chicken for 6-8 minutes until golden, then set aside.
- Add onion, garlic, and broccoli to the skillet; cook for 4-5 minutes until softened.
- Sprinkle flour over vegetables; stir for 1 minute, then add milk, cheddar, and parmesan, cooking for 2-3 minutes until thick.
- Add pasta and chicken to the skillet; toss with sauce, adding pasta water if needed.
- Divide into bowls; sprinkle with parsley and parmesan, if desired, and serve.
Notes
Nutrition (per serving):
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Protein: 30g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 6g
- Sugars: 4g
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g Source: USDA Food Database (2025). Values are approximate.