Cheesy Chicken Pasta with Brussels Sprouts
One pan chicken, pasta and sliced brussels sprouts in a cheesy sauce topped with toasted bread crumbs.
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups dry penne pasta
- 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup Pankow breadcrumbs
- ½ pound chicken breasts boneless skinless cut in bite size pieces
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons dry sage divided
- 4 cups brussels sprouts trimmed and sliced thin
- 4 tablespoons flour
- 2 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup smoked Gruyere cheese grated
- 1 cup white cheddar cheese grated
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring water to boil in a deep skillet or pot and cook until it’s almost done but still firm. Reserve ¼ cup of the pasta water then drain and set it aside.
- In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat then sprinkle in the bread crumbs and toast 3-5 minutes stirring occasionally until golden brown. Remove from the skillet and reserve. If necessary, wipe any remaining crumbs from the skillet.
- Add another tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet over medium-high heat then add the chicken. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder and 1 teaspoon of sage. Sear on both sides and cook until no longer pink inside then remove from the skillet.
- Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet and the sliced brussels sprouts. Season with salt and pepper and cook over medium to medium-high heat 3-4 minutes until the brussels sprouts are tender with lightly browned pieces then remove from the skillet with the chicken.
- Add the butter to the skillet over low heat then sprinkle in the flour, whisk until smooth and cook 1-2 minutes.
- Add the milk and whisk until smooth. Season with salt and pepper and the remaining sage. Cook over medium heat about 5 minutes as the sauce thickens and bubbles.
- Stir in the grated cheeses stirring constantly until they're melted and the sauce is smooth. Turn off the heat. Taste the sauce and adjust salt and pepper to your preferences.
- Fold in the pasta then the chicken and brussels sprouts. Once combined, sprinkle the crispy breadcrumbs over the top and serve right away. Optional: serve the breadcrumbs separately at the table.