Ben and I spent the weekend in Chicago with friends and in true just getting home from vacation fashion, I was trying to think of something really quick and easy to make for dinner tonight, as I haven’t had time to go to the grocery store yet. Then I remembered a yummy, 30-minute meal I made a few weeks ago that I haven’t shared yet: Broccoli Chicken Mac and Cheese.
Large macaroni noodles, sauteed chicken, and fresh broccoli are tossed in a luscious, light and creamy sauce that does not get any simpler to make, and tastes totally gourmet. Only you and I will know that it’s made with 99% fridge and pantry staples, and takes 30-minutes (or less) to make. Shhh! Tell ’em ya’ slaved!
Start the Broccoli-Chicken Mac & Cheese by dropping 8oz large macaroni noodles into salted, boiling water. I know I say this all the time, but adding 1-2 teaspoons of salt to pasta water when it boils adds sooooo much flavor to the pasta. Try it once and you’ll know exactly what I mean!
When the pasta has about 3 minutes left to cook, drop in 3 cups small broccoli florets, then drain everything and set it aside.
Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add 2 teaspoons cooking oil. We’re going to stir in some chopped sun-dried tomatoes in a bit so I used the oil from the SDT jar, but you can use whatever you want.
Add 2 chicken breasts that have been chopped into bite-sized pieces and seasoned with salt & pepper, then saute until they’re cooked through and remove to a plate.
Onto that rich and creamy (gourmet tasting!) sauce. In the same skillet as the chicken, add 6oz Laughing Cow Light Cheese, which is all 6 wedges. Laughing Cow Cheese is a DREAM – so creamy and flavorful, but only 35 calories per wedge. I love it with crackers, and in this mac!
Next add in 3/4 cup milk, and 1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
Let the cheese melt and the sauce bubble until everything is thick and melty. YUM!
Finally, add in the cooked chicken, noodles, and broccoli, then toss everything to combine.
Dinner is served!
Broccoli Chicken Mac and Cheese
Equipment
- 1 large pot
- 1 large skillet
Ingredients
- 8 oz gluten-free or regular macaroni noodles dish will not be GF if using regular macaroni noodles
- 3 cups small broccoli florets
- 2 large chicken breasts ~1lb, cut into bite-sized pieces
- salt and pepper
- 2 teaspoons oil I used oil from the sun-dried tomatoes
- 6 oz Laughing Cow Lite Cheese Wedges I like Garlic & Herb flavor
- 3/4 - 1 cup milk any kind
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil chopped
Instructions
- Cook macaroni noodles in a large pot of salted, boiling water. Add broccoli to the pot 3 minutes before noodles are done cooking, then drain well and set aside.
- Meanwhile, season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add chicken and cook until no longer pink. Remove to a plate and set aside. In the same skillet, add cheese, milk, sun-dried tomatoes, salt, and pepper, then stir until cheese is melted, and sauce is thick. Add cooked chicken, noodles, and broccoli to the skillet then stir well to combine. Add more milk if sauce isn't creamy enough, then serve.
Notes
Nutrition
This is total comfort food, but so stinking easy, and much lighter than traditional macaroni & cheeses.
Laughing Cow has a ton of different flavors to customize this dish to your tastes, too. I used Garlic Herb, but was mighty tempted by the Sun-dried Tomato Basil flavor. Go with your gut though, and enjoy!
Andrea 10.10.2012
OMGH, made this last night, it’s one of the best recipe’s I have ever tried!! Thanks!
Kendra 10.10.2012
I love your blog and read it regularly. I find your recipes simple and usually made from things that i have on hand. I read this post yesterday and was obsessed with the idea of having it for dinner. I even had broccoli on hand that I needed to use up. Or so I thought!! I got home and it turns out, no broccoli. I did have a red pepper though. So I made a quick sauce from goat cheese and light cream with a little bit of garlic (OK, a lot of garlic) sauteed the red pepper and threw in some leftover chicken. Delish!! Totally NOT your recipe, but totally inspired by your recipe. So thank you! :-)
Kelly 10.09.2012
This is probably a silly question – does it matter what kind of milk we use? (i.e. Whole vs. 2% vs. Skim?) Love your site!! <3 :)
Iowa Girl Eats 10.10.2012
You can just use whatever you have in the fridge – I used skim!
Kelly 10.10.2012
Thanks! Made it tonight – and omg SO GOOD!!
Alison 10.09.2012
Such a yummy recipe – I made it right after seeing it last night. Thanks for another great one!
Evelien 10.09.2012
It sounds delicious! But I was wondering, since we don’t have The Laughing Cow – Garlic and Herbs over here in Belgium, if you could also use Philadelphia – Garlic and Herbs for the sauce?
Iowa Girl Eats 10.09.2012
It might! I would thin it out with a bit more milk though, as cream cheese is a bit thicker than the Laughing Cow wedges.
Katie @ Blonde Ambition 10.09.2012
Safelight repair, safelite replace! Haha oh no, now that jingle is going to be stuck in my head all day :(
Did you get the iPhone 5? I’ve been taking panoramas of EVERYTHING since I got mine!
This looks so good and so simple! I really need to get into Laughing Cow wedges…
Iowa Girl Eats 10.09.2012
Ben did – we are obsessed!!
Life's a Bowl 10.09.2012
This looks delic! I just pinned it and Ben’s picture was the pin, I couldn’t change it haha :P
P.S. That totally sucks about your car, major buzz kill, but at least y’all still made the best of the trip!
Amber 10.09.2012
I have NEVER thought to do anything with laughing cow besides spread it on things. You just opened up a whole new world for me!!!
Theresa 10.09.2012
I love the cream fleece you’re wearing in the second picture in this post- who makes it?
Iowa Girl Eats 10.09.2012
Thanks! Jeans and that top (from Old Navy) are seriously my fall and winter uniform…!
Krista 10.09.2012
Bummer about your car window but I love your attitude about it! Wondering what your fave Chinese take out restaurant in the area is? I love Iron Wok on Mills Civic.
Iowa Girl Eats 10.09.2012
Wok in Motion is our fave!
kim@hungryhealthygirl 10.09.2012
Glad you guys had a great time despite the loss and the window incident….bummer! The pasta looks delish and I love the addition of the sun-dried tomatoes.
Tina 10.09.2012
We are also die hard Miami fans (from Oklahoma!) What a fabulous way to spend your 30th birthday! Miami came out strong and I thought they could have won or hung closer, but we are looking stronger! Just gotta work on D. And no more dropped passes! Sorry to hear about your window. People are so mean. Glad it didn’t ruin the weekend. Thanks for the post and let’s go Miami this upcoming weekend against the Tar Heels!
Hannah 10.09.2012
This looks DELICIOUS and I admire your positive spirit after the window smash. I’m going to have to try this out…I’m always looking for lower calorie/healthier comfort foods.
p.s. I absolutely love your blog.
Kerry @ Totes My Oats 10.09.2012
Sorry to hear about your window! That really stinks. That mac and cheese looks amazing! Such a good idea!
Jen W 10.09.2012
I just love this recipe and will probably make it this weekend since I’ve got all but the cheese in my pantry! I’m glad you had a great time in Chicago, but that sucks about the window. What a jerk!
Also, I must say that I LOVE the spoon in your pictures. I happen to also own the red smiley face spoon. I feel like it makes all of my dishes better.
Happy cooking!
Iowa Girl Eats 10.09.2012
Totally agree – LOVE that spoon! :)
Dara @how_to_eat 10.09.2012
This looks fantastic and perfect for the weeknight rush! Do you think I could substitute tofu for the chicken?
Iowa Girl Eats 10.09.2012
Sure, I bet that would work!
Manon 10.09.2012
Somehow I loooooove laughing cow, but never thought to use it in mac n cheese?!?!?! Bless you, child :)
Rebekah 10.09.2012
Awesome recipe! I’m always trying to add veggies to everything that is considered dangerous comfort food =) I’m sorry about your Miami crew… but being a Notre Dame grad I’m so excited for my team this year! Its been a while since I’ve gotten this pumped about our team. Sorry about your window too… Mine was broken out by some kids who were “having fun”?? when my doors were unlocked too! Nothing was taken, but they left duct tape??
Iowa Girl Eats 10.09.2012
Probably so you could duct tape a box to your window like us! A-holes!
Kathleen Welch 10.09.2012
That looks so good ….adding that to the menu this week ! Thanks for all of your great ideas !
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes 10.08.2012
This looks great! I’ve never tried Laughing Cow products before