Creamy Chicken Linguine with Broccoli Sauce
(from paulanga’s recipe box)
Source: Daily Unadventures in Cooking
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Serves 2 people
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 chicken breast, boneless and skinless
- salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1/4 onion
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 head of broccoli
- 2 tablespoons white wine
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup whole milk
Directions
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Heat a medium sized heavy saucepan or dutch oven over medium heat. Slice the chicken breast into small, bite sized pieces and toss with salt and freshly ground pepper. Add the teaspoon of olive oil to the pot and swirl to coat. Allow to heat through for 10 seconds and then add the chicken. Cook the chicken, flipping partway until just cooked through. While the chicken is cooking you can dice your onion and mince your garlic. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and set aside. Put a large pot of water on to a boil, this will be for cooking your pasta.
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Turn the heat down to medium low and stir in the onion. Cook over medium low heat for 3 minutes, or until soft. Add the garlic and stir regularly until fragrant. While the onion and garlic are cooking it is a good time to chop up your broccoli. First separate the florets from the stalk. Trim the end of the stalk and any rough areas on the outside. Chop the stalk small, you should have about 1 cup of chopped stalk. When the garlic has been cooking for a minute add in the chopped broccoli stalk. Add a pinch of salt and put the lid on for 5 minutes, opening and stirring occasionally.
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To prepare the florets, chop them into large bites and set aside. After your 5 minutes are up stir in the white wine and bring to a simmer, simmer until almost dry and add 1 tablespoon of flour. Stir the flour into the mixture, and cook, stirring regularly, for 3 more minutes. Stir in the broth and milk and bring to a simmer. Simmer until the broccoli is tender. Transfer to a blender (or use an immersion blender) and puree. Return to the pot over medium low heat. This is a good time to check the seasoning and add more salt and pepper if you like.
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Add the chopped broccoli to the pot, cover and cook for 3 minutes, once the 3 minutes are up, stir in your chicken, and the chill flakes and cover again.
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Salt your boiling water, and add the pasta, cook according to package directions. Drain. Check your broccoli, if you like it quite soft it may need more time, right about now it should be soft, but still with a slight bite. Toss the pasta with the sauce, and serve.