CHEESY CHICKEN & BROCCOLI PASTA BAKE

Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Pasta Bake image

Provided by Christina Vasquez

Categories Soups

Time 55m

Number Of Ingredients 11

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3 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1 -2 inch pieces
2 - 3 Tbsp cooking oil
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 - 2 tsp. salt
24 oz pasta shells (not small and also not the ones used for stuffing)
1 1/2 lb florets of broccoli crowns = 3 - 4 crowns
2 can(s) cream of chicken soup, condensed
1 1/2 soup cans full of milk
16 oz velveeta cheese, cubed
16 oz sharp cheddar cheese, grated

Steps:

1. 1) Heat oven to 375 degrees. 2) Butter or grease two 3 quart baking dishes, set aside. 3) Start heating the water for the pasta. 4) Cut chicken into 1 - 2 inch pieces. 5) Heat a large skillet or large pot with cooking oil to med. high; add chicken, salt, pepper, garlic powder and cook until slightly browned, stirring occasionally. 6) At this time the water should be at a rapid boil so add the pasta, you may add salt to the water if desired. Pasta should be al dente so do not cook more then 5 - 6 min, drain and set aside. 7) In the meantime while chicken is browning, cut the broccoli florets off steams and then in half, rinse and set aside. 8) Open cans, set aside. 9) Cube Velveeta, set aside. 10) Grate sharp cheddar cheese, set aside. 11) Once the chicken is browned add; soup, milk, Velveeta and stir until no lumps remain. 12) Turn off heat, stir in broccoli and shells. KEEP IN MIND all of the above ingredients may not fit and you may need to transfer it to a larger pot to stir. 13) Once stirred together divide mixture and pour into the baking dishes, sprinkle with cheese, bake for 25 - 30 minutes. Enjoy!