Creamy Pasta With Chicken, Broccoli And Basil - Low Fat Version

Total Time: 30 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 lb dry pasta (i prefer fettucine or spaghetti noodles)
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 3 cups broccoli florets
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup 2% evaporated milk
• 2 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/2 tablespoons butter (i use unsalted)
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated, plus extra for sprinkling
• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken breasts (i usually add even more)
• 1/2 cup drained petite diced tomato
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1/2 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes (or to taste)

Recipe

• 1 bring about 2 quarts of water to a boil - add a tablespoon of salt to the boiling water.
• 2 add pasta and use the cooking time given on the package to cook your pasta al dente. stir frequently at first to prevent pasta from sticking.
• 3 add the broccoli to the boiling pasta water during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
• 4 meanwhile, microwave broth, milk and garlic in a microwave-safe bowl until steamy hot (approx. 3 to 4 minutes). then let it stand for a few minutes.
• 5 put butter in a saucepan over low heat.
• 6 after butter melts, whisk in flour, then hot milk mixture. whisk constantly over medium-low to medium heat until sauce thickens. this should take about 1 to 2 minutes. you judge as to when the sauce thickens up.
• 7 stir in parmesan, cooked chicken, tomatoes, basil and red pepper flakes.
• 8 salt and pepper to taste and let simmer for about 5 minutes to blend flavors.
• 9 drain pasta and broccoli, *reserving 1 cup pasta cooking liquid* and return to pasta pot.
• 10 pour cream sauce over pasta, adding enough reserved cooking liquid to moisten.
• 11 toss and serve immediately with a light sprinkling of parmesan.
• 12 enjoy!