Pasta with Chicken, Broccoli, and Sun-dried Tomatoes

[kaci]

Pasta with Chicken, Broccoli, and Sun-dried Tomatoes



4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed of fat and cut crosswise into 1/4-inch slices
1 small onion, chopped fine
Table salt
6 medium cloves garlic, minced or pressed through garlic press
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1 cup dry white wine
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 pounds broccoli, florets trimmed into 1-inch pieces, stems discarded
1/2 pound penne pasta , ziti, cavatappi, or campanelle
2 ounces grated Asiago cheese, plus extra for serving
1 (8 ounce) jar oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, rinsed, patted dry, and cut into 1/4-inch strips
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley leaves
Ground black pepper
1 lemon, cut into wedges (optional)


Bring 4 quarts water to rolling boil, covered, in stockpot.

Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon butter in 12-inch nonstick skillet over high heat until just beginning to brown, about 1 minute. Add chicken in single layer; cook for 1 minute without stirring, then stir chicken and continue to cook until most, but not all, of pink color has disappeared and chicken is lightly browned around the edges, about 2 minutes longer. Transfer chicken to clean bowl; set aside.

Return skillet to high heat and add 1 tablespoon butter; add onion and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned about edges, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in garlic, red pepper flakes, thyme, and flour; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add wine and chicken broth; bring to simmer, then reduce heat to medium and continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce has thickened slightly and reduced to 1 1/4 cups, about 15 minutes.

While sauce simmers, add 1 tablespoon salt and broccoli to boiling water; cook until broccoli is tender but still crisp at center, about 2 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer broccoli to large paper towel-lined plate. Return water to boil; stir in pasta and cook until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking water; return pasta to pot.

Stir remaining 2 tablespoons butter, Asiago, sun-dried tomatoes, parsley, and chicken into sauce in skillet; cook until chicken is hot and cooked through, about 1 minute. Off heat, season to taste with pepper. Pour chicken/sauce mixture over pasta and add broccoli; toss gently to combine, adding pasta cooking water as needed to adjust sauce consistency. Serve immediately, passing additional Asiago and the lemon wedges (if using) separately.

Yield: 4 servings


Cooks Illustrated