Slow-Cooker Creamy Pasta with Chicken and Broccoli

Name: Slow-Cooker Creamy Pasta with Chicken and Broccoli
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 50 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 12 oz uncooked chicken tenders (not breaded), cut into bite-size pieces; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground pepper; 2 cups Progresso™ reduced sodium chicken broth (from 32-oz carton); 1 can (12 oz) low-fat 2% evaporated milk; 1 tablespoon butter; 1 tablespoon Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour; 2 oz 1/3-less-fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel); 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese; 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 12 oz uncooked penne pasta; 1/2 cup chopped drained roasted red bell peppers (from a jar); 1 bag (12 oz) frozen broccoli florets; Up to 1/4 cup additional heated chicken broth, if needed; 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

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Prep 20 min
Total 1 hr 50 min
Servings 8

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by: Tablespoon Kitchens

Updated Jul 20, 2017

Ingredients

12 oz uncooked chicken tenders (not breaded), cut into bite-size pieces
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon coarse ground pepper
2 cups Progresso™ reduced sodium chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)
1 can (12 oz) low-fat 2% evaporated milk
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
2 oz 1/3-less-fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel)
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
12 oz uncooked penne pasta
1/2 cup chopped drained roasted red bell peppers (from a jar)
1 bag (12 oz) frozen broccoli florets
Up to 1/4 cup additional heated chicken broth, if needed
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Steps

1

Spray 3 1/2- to 4-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Place chicken, salt and pepper in slow cooker; toss to thoroughly combine.
2

In 4-cup microwavable measuring cup, microwave 2 cups broth and the milk uncovered on High 4 to 5 minutes or until hot but not boiling. Meanwhile, in 4-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Sprinkle flour over melted butter. Beat with whisk. Cook 1 to 2 minutes or until mixture turns light brown. Slowly beat in hot chicken broth mixture with whisk until smooth and combined. Heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly. Continue to cook and stir 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in cream cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and the crushed red pepper until cheese is melted.
3

Add uncooked pasta, roasted peppers and cheese mixture to chicken in slow cooker; stir to combine. Cover; cook on High heat setting 1 1/2 hours or until pasta is tender and chicken is cooked through. Just before serving, microwave broccoli as directed on bag; stir into mixture. Add additional heated broth to desired creaminess. Serve immediately topped with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.

Expert Tips

tip 1
For an added smoky flavor, sprinkle cooked crumbled bacon over each serving.
tip 2
Boneless skinless chicken breast can be substituted for the chicken tenders.
tip 3
Use a slow cooker liner for easy cleanup.
tip 4
The pasta in this recipe will cook to al dente. Just like a pasta casserole baked in the oven, there will be a few yummy toasted pieces of pasta along the edges.

Nutrition Information

370 Calories, 9g Total Fat, 26g Protein, 46g Total Carbohydrate, 7g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving

Calories: 370

Calories from Fat: 90

Total Fat: 9g; 15%

Saturated Fat: 5g; 25%

Trans Fat: 0g

Cholesterol: 50mg; 16%

Sodium: 510mg; 21%

Potassium: 360mg; 10%

Total Carbohydrate: 46g; 15%

Dietary Fiber: 3g; 14%

Sugars: 7g

Protein: 26g

% Daily Value*:

Vitamin A: 20%; 20%

Vitamin C: 25%; 25%

Calcium: 30%; 30%

Iron: 15%; 15%

Exchanges:

2 1/2 Starch; 0 Fruit; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 1/2 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 1 Very Lean Meat; 1 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 1/2 Fat;