Cheesy Chicken Pasta Stew Recipes

CHEESY CHICKEN-PASTA STEW

Steps:

• Heat oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken in butter 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until brown.
• Stir in milk and cream cheese. Cook, stirring frequently, until cheese is melted.
• Stir in frozen pasta and vegetable mixture. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 3 to 7 minutes or until pasta and vegetables are tender. Sprinkle with chives or green onions.

SLOW-COOKER CHEESY CHICKEN ENCHILADA PASTA

Steps:

• Spray 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. In slow cooker, mix enchilada sauce, taco seasoning mix and chicken until chicken is coated.
• Add onion, garlic, tomatoes and green chiles to slow cooker; mix well. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 3 to 3 1/2 hours or until juice of chicken is clear when thickest part is cut (at least 165°F).
• Remove chicken from slow cooker, and transfer to cutting board; let stand about 5 minutes or until cool enough to handle. Meanwhile, stir cream cheese and Cheddar cheese into slow cooker. Cover; cook on High heat setting 5 to 10 minutes or until cheese melts. Stir thoroughly to incorporate.
• Meanwhile, shred chicken with 2 forks; return to slow cooker, and stir in cooked pasta. Cover; cook on High heat setting 5 to 10 minutes or until heated through. Garnish with cilantro before serving.

CHEESY CHICKEN PASTA

Steps:

• This ooey-gooey pasta dish is a crowd-pleaser for adults and kids alike-think rich and creamy macaroni-and-cheese tossed with cauliflower and chicken. Serve with a spinach salad.;
• 1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 5 minutes. Add cauliflower florets and cook until the pasta and florets are tender, about 4 minutes more. Drain, rinse and return to the pot.
• 2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, until tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Add wine and cook until reduced slightly, about 1 minute. Whisk milk, flour, salt and pepper together in a medium bowl and add to the pan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Cook, stirring, until thickened, about 1 minute. Reduce heat to low and stir in cheese until smooth. Stir chicken (or turkey) and mustard into the cheese sauce; cook until heated through, about 2 minutes.
• 3. Stir the sauce into the drained pasta and cauliflower. Serve sprinkled with chives (or scallion greens).
• NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 433 calories; 13 g fat (5 g sat, 5 g mono); 75 mg cholesterol; 42 g carbohydrate; 34 g protein; 5 g fiber; 491 mg sodium; 483 mg potassium. Nutrition bonus: Vitamin C (38% daily value), Calcium (35% dv), Potassium (20% dv). 2 1/2 Carbohydrate Servings Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1/2 low-fat milk, 3 lean meat
• TIP: To poach chicken breasts, place boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a medium skillet or saucepan. Add lightly salted water to cover and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer gently until chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the middle, 10 to 12 minutes.
• From www.eatingwell.com with permission. 2009 Eating Well Inc. Photo by Ken Burris