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.
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8 ounces
whole-wheat penne
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2 cups
cauliflower florets (1/2 inch)
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1 tablespoon
extra-virgin olive oil
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1/2 cup
onion, finely chopped
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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
Gruyere, or Swiss cheese shredded
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3 cups
cooked chicken, or turkey shredded (12 ounces; see Tip)
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1 teaspoon
Dijon mustard
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2 tablespoons
fresh chives or scallion greens, chopped
- 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.
- 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.
- Stir the sauce into the drained pasta and cauliflower. Serve sprinkled with chives (or scallion greens).
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.
Reviewed July 16, 2012
© Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
For more recipes go to
EatingWell.com
Makes: 6 servings
Serving Size: 1 1/3 cups
- Calories433
- Fat13 g
- Saturated fat5 g
- Cholesterol75
- Carbohydrates42 g
- Dietary fiber5 g
- Protein34 g
- Sodium491 mg
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