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One Pot Skillet Pasta

We found this recipe created by Kate Sherwood in Nutrition Action Healthletter. It was in an article about "One Pot Wonders" in a very old issue (Jan/Feb 2009). I couldn't find it online.
We've modified the recipe to use ingredients we are more likely to have on hand. This is how we make it. We've liked it every time.
Course Main Course
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 1/2 lb skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces (or use equivalent amount of chicken breast that you've cooked previously)
  • 1 T olive oil, or only use 1/2 T if using already-cooked chicken
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 3 scallions, chopped (or equivalent amount of onion if you don't have scallions)
  • 4 oz whole wheat ziti or penne or other pasta (bow-tie is nice)
  • 1-3/4 cups milk, divided (any kind from skim to whole)
  • 3/4 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 lb broccoli, cut into small florets
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup dried tomatoes (Or you can use 1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes. We just throw in supersweets that we have dried ourselves. They reconstitute while cooking and are delicious.)
  • 1/4 cup parmesan or romano cheese, grated
  • black pepper to taste
  • salt to taste (might not need any if broth is salty)

Instructions

  • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Skip the next 3 steps if you are using already-cooked chicken.
  • Add the chicken and cook without stirring until browned, 2-3 minutes.
  • Stir and continue to cook 1 minute longer. (It won't be fully cooked.)
  • Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
  • Put the garlic, pepper flakes, and scallions into the skillet and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  • Add the pasta, 1-1/4 cups of the milk, and the broth.
  • Bring to a boil over high heat and cook, stirring frequently, until it forms a thick sauce, about 12 minutes.
  • Stir in the broccoli, sun-dried tomatoes, and the remaining milk.
  • Cover, reduce heat to medium, and cook until the broccoli turns bright green and is almost tender, 3-5 minutes.
  • Stir in the cheese and chicken.
  • Simmer, uncovered until the chicken is cooked through, 1-2 minutes.
  • Season with pepper and salt (if needed).