Chicken Broccoli and Bleu Cheese Pasta

Wine and cheese are ageless companions, like aspirin and aches, or June and moon, or good people and noble ventures.

~~ M.F.K. Fisher, preeminent American food writer

👩🏻‍🍳 Tamara Talks – About My Chicken and Bleu Cheese Pasta Inspiration

NOTE: This recipe was originally posted December 9, 2015. We love the recipe, and I decided it was time for an update. This section is pretty much intact, though.

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when I think of bleu cheese? Why, wine of course!  😆 Well, I am able to think of quite a few pairings that make my mouth dance: Bleu cheese and walnuts, bleu cheese and caramelized onions, bleu cheese and thyme… 

Chicken Broccoli and Bleu Cheese Pasta  brings these luscious ingredients together in a glorious cacophony of flavors. My mind does naturally go to wine when I think of bleu cheese, and it is not an easy pairing.

Bleu cheese is rich, salty, and a bit dank, and I guess an off-dry and full-bodied wine is a “proper” choice with a hunk of bleu cheese. However, this dish has lots of other strong flavors (and opportunities to clash!). My suggestion on this one is to go with whatever wine sounds good.  We like a full-bodied, oaked chardonnay or cabernet sauvignon. 

Some version of this bleu cheese pasta has shown up on our table for years. I started making it for “Sunday funday” with our grown kids and their dogs, and it was a favorite. Last month when I went back to Las Cruces to visit, my kids suggested we make “that bleu cheese pasta.”

I had to laugh at myself. It was several months ago that I made this dish several times because I was working on the recipe. Lol. Then we moved to Texas (and away from the kids), and I completely forgot about it. Fortunately, I had a few notes, but to be sure I got it right, I had to make it a few more times. We just had to suffer through the experience…

Whether this recipe is ever one of my top traffic-producers, or not, I knew 3 of our 4 sons would be pleased to have it in writing. I’m not sure many people are googling chicken broccoli bleu cheese pasta, but it’s on the blog when they need it!

📋 Ingredients Notes

Here is a quick look at the ingredients in the recipe – it’s handy to use at the grocery store or as a summary of what you need. Skip to the recipe for quantities.

• chicken – I prefer boneless, skinless thighs for this pasta dish, but you can use breast meat if you like. You could probably use rotisserie chicken, and add it at the end if you’re looking to save time and still have a great meal.
• onion – Red, yellow, sweet, white… all will be fine! Caramelizing the onions brings depth and umami to the dish!
• broccoli – Only fresh will do!
• dry sherry – I love the nuttiness of dry sherry with the caramelized onions. Substitute a dry white wine if you need to. If you prefer to avoid alcohol, use chicken or vegetable broth.
• pasta – Penne is an easy pasta shape for this recipe, but by no means the only option! I think it’s easier to eat with a bite-sized pasta, whether it be rotini, ziti, farfalle, macaroni, they’re all good!
• sun-dried tomatoes – I prefer the sun-dried tomatoes that are not packed in oil, but you can use them if you don’t mind the extra calories. I have also used these slow-roasted tomatoes.
• walnuts – Pecans are a good substitute. One of my sons reminded me that pine nuts are good as well. Like I said, we’ve made this pasta recipe as a family many times!
• bleu cheese – Bleu cheese is a key ingredient IMHO, so I never substitute. However, if you despise “stinky feet” cheese (like 1 of my adult kids), you can substitute feta. That’s how they make it.
• parmesan – I grate parmesan over the broccoli while it roasts, and we love the umami flavor it brings. You can substitute pecorino romano or asiago.
• garlic
• herbs – I like the combination of thyme and crushed red pepper in this pasta dish. However, I have used others. If I have fresh thyme in my garden (I didn’t on photo day), I’ll use fresh. I have oregano and rosemary in my garden, and both have made an appearance in this dish. It’s got a Mediterranean vibe, and any of the Mediterranean herbs will work.
• crushed red pepper – Crushed red pepper is totally optional. We love the little bit of heat. If I can find calabrian peppers, they’re my first choice!

🔪 Pasta Instructions

• NOTE: While this chicken pasta recipe may look involved (and time-consuming), it really isn’t. The broccoli roasts while the chicken is sautéed, and the pasta is cooked. It all gets tossed together before serving!

• Prepare the broccoli – Break down the broccoli into florets. You want manageable sized pieces. You can use some of the stem pieces if you peel them and slice thin. Drizzle with olive oil, and grate parmesan over top. NOTE: This step is optional but delicious!

• Roast the broccoli – Roast in a 400° oven until tender and caramelized (about 25 minutes depending on the size of your pieces). NOTE: Those dark, crispy bits are what makes this dish so delicious!

• Sauté the aromatics – While the broccoli roasts, start the chicken and pasta. Put a pasta pot of water on to boil. Add a palm full of salt. To the sauté pan, add a drizzle of olive oil and the onion. Sauté until the onions begin to brown (about 10 minutes). Add the garlic, dried thyme, and crushed red pepper if using.

• Sauté the chicken – Push the aromatics aside. Add the chicken to the skillet. Resist the urge to stir it in… Let the chicken get some color! NOTE: This is a good time to give the broccoli a stir!

• Finish the chicken and aromatics – When the chicken is showing some caramelization, go ahead and stir it altogether.

• Finish the chicken portion of the pasta – De-glaze the skillet with sherry. Cook until reduced by about half. Add in the sun-dried tomatoes. Simmer gently until ready to put it all together. NOTE: Add a little chicken broth if it looks dry.

• Put it all together – Add the roasted broccoli, cooked pasta, walnuts, and bleu cheese to the skillet. NOTE: Fold in the crumbled bleu cheese just prior to serving so that it only melts slightly and doesn’t incorporate into the mixture. Stir to combine.

• To serve – Serve hot or just warm. Scoop into shallow pasta bowls, and garnish with fresh herbs, and additional parmesan as desired. Enjoy!

I’m taking an informal survey… how many of you love bleu (or blue) cheese? 

P.S. If you’re interested in wine and cheese pairings, you’ll love The Ultimate Shopping List of Cheeses for Wine Lovers!