Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken & Broccoli

Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken & Broccoli

Ingredients:

• 12 oz. fettuccine noodles

• 2 cups broccoli florets

• 1 lb. chicken breast, cubed

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 2 tsp finely chopped oregano

• 1 cup warm milk

• 1 cup pasta water

• 2 tbsp flour

• 2 tbsp butter

• 2 garlic cloves, grated or minced

• red pepper flakes

• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese + more for serving

• salt and pepper to taste

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Two minutes before pasta is done, add broccoli to pasta. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.

2. While pasta is cooking, season chicken breast with salt, pepper and oregano. Heat oil on medium high heat, cook chicken for about 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside.

3. Using the same pot that the pasta was cooked in, melt butter on low heat, add garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 30 seconds. Whisk in flour until combined and there are no lumps; cook for 2 minutes, stirring. Slowly add milk and half cup pasta water to flour as you whisk to incorporate. Cook on low heat, stirring occasionally, until sauce begins to thicken, about 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in Parmesan and salt to taste. If sauce is too thick, add more pasta water.

4. Add fettuccine to sauce along with cooked chicken. Toss to coast. Serve with additional Parmesan cheese.

Yields: 4 servings

Notes&Tips:

• Fettuccine Alfredo has been a long time favorite of my children. When they were younger, I made it fairly often. They even requested it on birthdays when they were younger.

• This version of Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken & Broccoli does not use all milk for the sauce but a mix of milk and pasta water. A lighter version can be made with just pasta water and adding a tablespoon or two more of Parmesan cheese.

• I like adding some kind of vegetable to my Fettuccine and I believe that broccoli, with its bright green color and great crispness, is perfect. If you'd rather a different type of vegetable, say, sweet peas, asparagus, or even carrots, would also work well.

• Fettuccini Alfredo is a great dish for a vegetarian meal, simply omit the chicken and add either more broccoli or a combination of other vegetables.