Serves 6
1 - 8 oz package regular or whole grain Penne pasta, cooked, al dente
3 - boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked or use about 3 cups rotisserie chicken
1/8 - teaspoon thyme
1/8 - teaspoon poultry seasoning
salt and pepper to taste, white pepper if you have it
1 - tablespoon olive oil
5 - tablespoons butter
1 - tablespoon onion, chopped
1 1/2 - cloves garlic, minced
2 - tablespoons flour
1 1/2 - cups half and half
1 1/2 - cups low fat milk
1 - cup + 2/3 cup Kraft Italian Five Cheese Blend w/cream cheese, separated
Italian Seasoning, garnish
Step 1: Cook pasta according to package (Al dente) then drain.
Step 2: While pasta is cooking, prepare the chicken. Using a 12-inch skillet or stove top grill heat 1 tablespoon olive oil. Split the chicken breasts, so they are not too thick. This will help them cook more evenly.
Step 3: Make a mixture of salt, pepper, thyme and poultry seasoning and rub it on both sides of the chicken breasts.
Step 4: Add the chicken breasts to the skillet. Cook on both sides until cooked, browned and the juices run clear (about 10 minutes). Remove chicken to a plate, set aside to cool.
Step 5: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Step 6: While chicken is cooling start on the sauce. In a separate large skillet melt the butter; add the onion and garlic and cook for 1 - 2 minutes.
Step 7: Add the flour and mix using a wire whisk. Mix until bubbly and starts to take on a bit of color.
Step 8: Add the half & half and milk; mix to combine.
Step 9: Bring mixture to a boil and then reduce hit to medium and simmer for about 5 minutes.
Step 10: Add 2/3 cup of cheese and blend using a wire whisk. Cook mixture an additional 5 minutes until the sauce starts to thicken up. The sauce is thick enough when it coats the back of a spoon.
Step 11: Remove sauce from heat. Cut the chicken into bite size pieces and add to a large bowl.
Step 12: Add the cooked and drained pasta and the sauce last. Mix everything to combine.
Step 13: Spray a 8 x 8 inch square baking pan with non stick spray.
Step 14: Add the pasta mixture to the pan and sprinkle with an additional 1 cup of cheese.
Step 15: Sprinkle with pepper and bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown. Garnish with a sprinkle of Italian seasoning.