This creamy baked pasta is loaded with juicy chicken, tender vegetables, and a luxurious sauce. It is the perfect comfort meal that won't break your diet!
Ingredients
113.25 ouncebox whole-wheat spaghetti,dry
1poundboneless chicken breasts
2tbspunsalted butter
3stalks celery, diced
1onion,diced
18-ouncecontainer white button mushrooms
2tbspwhole-wheat white flour
1/4cupdry white wine
1cuplow-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 cupsskim milk
4ounces1/3-less fat cream cheese
1/4tspblack pepper
1/2tspsalt
1/2tspgarlic powder
112-ouncebag frozen peas
1/2cupshredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Place the chicken in a pot large enough to hold them all, and fill the pot with enough water (or chicken stock) to cover the chicken by about 1-2 inches. Add 2 dried bay leaves, fresh parsley stems and whole peppercorns to flavor the cooking liquid if desired, then bring to a boil over high heat.
When the water comes to a boil, cover the pot with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Simmer the chicken for 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the breast reads 165ºF.
Using tongs, remove the chicken and reserve on a plate. When it is cool enough to touch, shred it and set aside.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the butter. When the butter is melted, add the celery, onions and mushrooms.
Cook until the vegetables are soft and the mushrooms have cooked down, about 10-12 minutes.
Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute; the mixture will be very thick at this point.
Add the wine to the skillet and cook for 1 minute. If using a gas burner, remove the skillet from the heat before adding the wine, then place it back on the burner.
Whisk in the chicken broth and milk, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 8-10 minutes until it thickens.
Stir in the cream cheese, salt, pepper and garlic powder until smooth and incorporated.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to package directions for al dente.
Add the cooked spaghetti, chicken and frozen peas to the skillet with the sauce. Gently toss with tongs to combine.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish and cover with cheese.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, until cheese melts and sauce is bubbly.