For a one-dish weekday meal, serve our fusilli with chicken, broccoli and cherry tomatoes. It has half the fat of spaghetti and meatballs, plus it combines a healthy dose of vegetables.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (each about 8 ounces)
- 3 cups chicken broth, homemade or low-sodium canned
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 6 cloves garlic, 2 smashed and 4 minced
- 2 sprigs flat-leaf parsley
- 3 slightly heaping cups small broccoli florets (about 7 ounces)
- 12 ounces spinach fusilli pasta (about 3/4 of a pound box)
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon chile flakes
- 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, diced
- 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano, plus more to pass
- Freshly ground black pepper
Directions
In a small saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, combine the chicken, broth, 1 teaspoon of the salt, smashed garlic, and parsley. Bring just to a boil, remove from the heat, and set aside, covered, until just cooked through, about 15 minutes. Remove the chicken, strain the broth. Pull the chicken into strips and put in a bowl with about 1/4 cup of the broth. Reserve the rest of the chicken broth.
Bring a large pot of cold water to a boil over high heat, then salt it generously. Add the broccoli and cook until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Transfer broccoli with a slotted spoon to a bowl. Return the water to a boil, add the fusilli and cook, stirring occasionally until al dente to tender but not mushy, about 8 minutes.
While the pasta cooks, combine the minced garlic, oil, and chile flakes in a large skillet. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring, until lightly browned and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook, stirring, until somewhat soft, about 1 minute. Add 1/2 cup of the broth, the remaining 2 teaspoons salt, and stir in the butter and 1/4 cup of the pecorino until incorporated. Stir in the chicken and broccoli, bring to a simmer, and remove from the heat.
Drain the pasta in a colander in the sink. Transfer to a bowl and toss with the remaining 1/4 cup pecorino. Pour the sauce over the pasta, season with pepper, and toss to combine. (If the sauce around the pasta seems "tight", add a little more broth, until it loosely naps the fusilli.) Serve in large bowls and pass additional cheese at the table, if desired.
Cook's Note: Once you've poached the chicken in the broth it doubles in flavor. Freeze or refrigerate any leftovers for other recipes.
675 calories 24 grams total fat 8.5 grams saturated fat 65 grams carbohydrates
Photo: Chicken, Broccoli, and Cherry Tomato Fusilli Recipe


















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By DennisLC
Staten Island, ...
on April 04, 2011
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I altered the recipe slightly and use regular fusilli pasta, but the recipe is absolutely fantastic. Very quick and fast to cook and excellent taste and quality. Loved by even my twin 4 year olds. Excellent dish to get little ones to eat some hearty veggies.
By marycmorris6_12...
Palm Harbor, 48
on March 23, 2010
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I made this tonight and it was worth all the preparation. It takes longer than the recipe states, probably close to an hour, but it's worth it! I used wheat linguine noodles and parmesan cheese because that's what I had. I also didn't have chili peppers, so I omitted them. It turned out very good, even my husband, who will hardly ever eat vegetables, ate and enjoyed it.
By hadge02_12723019
Herndon, 86
on March 09, 2010
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Just made this for dinner and really enjoyed it! There isn't a "sauce" like you would have with a red sauce, but the pasta is moist with a great flavor with the "sauce" created here. My two year old son even ate it! I will definitely make it again.
Read all 16 reviews