Meal Deals: Chicken Pasta

You can use small pieces of meat to save big. Chef David Pantone with the Florida Culinary Institute shows us you can stretch meat by cutting it into smaller portions than normal and mix it with other ingredients. To save time you can also buy pre-cooked chicken. Time is very expensive and sometimes its worth paying a little more for convenience. By mixing the chicken with pasta and broccoli you can make 6 to 7 servings with only 9 ounces of meat. That's what makes this cost effective. Per serving this meal will cost you 3 bucks. It can be even cheaper if you're willing to cook and debone your chicken yourself.

Chicken with Broccoli and Tortellini Pasta

1 package fresh broccoli florets

1 pound tortellini pasta, cheese filled are great

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 package (9 ounces) pre cooked chicken breast pieces

½ cup cream cheese

1 ½ cups milk

¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated

2 tablespoons basil, chopped

Salt and pepper

In a large sauce pan, in salted water, boil the broccoli until tender. Remove from water and reserve. Add pasta to water and cook until tender. Remove from water and reserve with broccoli. Add oil to pot. Add chicken and cook and stir until hot. Add milk and cook until hot. Add cream cheese and mix until melted and hot. Add Broccoli, pasta, cheese, basil and some salt and pepper. Mix until hot and blended. Serve immediately. Add a little milk or water if too thick.