Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

Ingredients

• 2 cups broccoli florets finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter 
• 1 cup chicken broth 
• 2 tablespoons flour all-purpose
• 1 pound ground chicken 
• 1 cup milk 
• 3 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin extra-virgin
• 0.3 cup onion diced finely
• 16 ounce rotini pasta uncooked
• 6 servings salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded

Equipment

• frying pan
• sauce pan
• oven
• pot
• baking pan
• broiler

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
2. Add rotini pasta and cook until al dente, 7 to 10 minutes.
3. Drain, cover, and set aside until needed.
4. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat, and stir in 1 tablespoon olive oil.
5. Add 1 cup broccoli; toss and cook just until tender, about 5 minutes.
6. Sprinkle broccoli with flour, and cook 1 minute. Stir in the chicken broth, and bring to a boil.
7. Pour in the milk, and stir to blend. Season with salt, pepper, and chipotle pepper powder, if desired. Reduce heat to medium, and simmer mixture until sauce thickens, 8 to 10 minutes.
8. Mix in 1 cup Cheddar cheese and stir until melted.
9. Remove from heat.
10. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in another large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in the onion, ground chicken, and remaining 1 cup of broccoli. Cook and stir until chicken is evenly browned and no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Reduce heat, and cook until liquid is reduced, about 5 minutes.
11. Preheat oven broiler to High. Lightly grease 9x13 inch baking dish.
12. Toss the pasta with the broccoli sauce until evenly blended. Stir in the sour cream, if desired. Stir the broccoli sauce mixture into the chicken mixture. Spoon into the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining 1 cup Cheddar cheese.
13. Cook under preheated broiler until cheese melts and browns around the edges, 3 to 5 minutes.