Hey Munchkin Blog readers! Lunches + Littles here! Do you follow us on Instagram? Over on our feed, we’re always sharing family-friendly recipes, feeding tips, lunchbox inspiration, and so much more. And today, here on the Munchkin Blog we are sharing a delicious Homemade Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken and Broccoli recipe. This dish has been a long-time favorite in our home, and though over the years the recipe has been modified, this was a meal I often enjoyed as a child.

I just love recipes like this one. You know, the ones that have the ability to take us back to own childhood, and in this case- are also being loved today by my own family. Food can be so magical in that way, and it is one of the many reasons why we believe that eating meals together as a family is so valuable.

We recently read a stat that reported that only 60% of families regularly sit down and have dinner together. Now, I will admit that we did a lot of away-from-the- table eating this summer, and I know that with a new school year approaching this can continue to be a real struggle. Did your little ones head back to school this week? If they haven’t yet, likely they’ll be starting back soon, and as a Mama of three little ones all with different after-school schedules and commitments, I get how hard eating together can be. But, let’s commit to doing it as much as possible- prioritizing family mealtimes, not only for the relational and health benefits, but also for the memories. Think about a meal that brings back memories for you…. if it weren’t for my own parents making dinners a priority, I may never have the memories associated with this dish, and perhaps you would have some blanks too.

So let’s get our pasta bowls ready….because if you like noodles, alfredo sauce and/or chicken this recipe is for you. And a little veggie tip: growing up my mom’s version of this dish did not include broccoli, but this is an easy one to add it to. The flavor of the alfredo sauce makes the broccoli much more palatable for fussy eaters, and while we usually leave larger pieces in the mix, you can certainly fine chop the broccoli if your little ones aren’t big fans of full-size broccoli “trees” as we call them. This small addition can be a big step in adding another veggie to your kids list of like it or love it foods. Check out the full recipe below for our Homemade Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken and Broccoli and let’s get ready to get back to school AND back around the table.

Homemade Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken and Broccoli

(this recipe makes approx. 4- 6 servings, but can easily be doubled)

INGREDIENTS (for chicken pieces):

4 to 6 boneless/skinless chicken tenders (# dependent on size/preference)
olive oil
1/4 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 garlic powder
salt and pepper
1 tbsp of butter (plus more as needed for cooking)

INGREDIENTS (for pasta):

1 box (1 lb) of fettuccine noodles
a few drizzles of olive oil
6 tbsp butter
5 garlic cloves (minced)
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 and 1/2 cups milk (we use whole)
1 and 1/2 cups heavy cream
3/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for topping, if desired)
1/2 cup freshly grated Romano cheese
a pinch of ground nutmeg
1 large head of broccoli (cut into bite-sized pieces)
salt and pepper to taste
fresh chopped parsley for garnish (*optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Start off by making your chicken: clean your tenders, then pat dry and cut into small, bite-sized pieces (you can make these as big or small as you would like, depending on the age of your children/personal preference)
Place cut-up chicken pieces in a mixing bowl. Add a few drizzles of olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder and a generous amount of salt and pepper. Mix until well-coated, then set aside for a couple min.
Next in a large skillet (preferably cast iron), combine butter and a few more drizzles of olive oil. Once it starts to sizzle up, place as many chicken pieces as you can fit, without over-crowding the pan (the chicken will have to be done in a couple batches).
Cook chicken for a couple min. until pieces are browned. Then, flip and repeat until cooked through. Once done, remove from pan and set aside. Repeat until all chicken has been cooked.
Next you want to start to make your pasta. Alternatively, you can start this while your chicken cooks, if you’re able.
Cook fettuccine noodles according to package instructions. Drain well and return to pot, off heat. You can add just a small drizzle of oil to noodles and toss to coat to keep them from sticking together, if desired.
Next, make your Alfredo sauce. In a large pot over medium heat combine butter and garlic. Sauté until melted/fragrant. We wrote this recipe using 5 garlic cloves, but we often use more. You can easily adjust this based on your taste preferences.
Reduce heat, and to your pot add flour, milk, heavy cream, cheeses and nutmeg. Cook sauce on low until it begins to thicken up, stirring occasionally. While your sauce simmers steam your broccoli in a separate pot. Once done, drain well and set aside. Then, once your sauce is thickened remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Pour sauce over fettuccine (in separate pot), add chicken and broccoli and stir to coat. Garnish with fresh parsley and sprinkle with additional Parmesan, as desired. *Please note: if sauce is too thick, you can always add more milk to thin it out some before adding to pasta.
Serve immediately and enjoy!

For more quick and easy recipes perfect for the whole family be sure to check out our feed Lunches + Littles where we are cooking up meals just like this one all of the time, that are sure to help lessen the stress about meals and lunchboxes this school year. And check out www.munchkin.com for all of the feeding supplies you see here, and so much more for your little ones and your home!

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