Fast and Easy Cheesy Chicken

I found a recipe, yesterday, that looked good but lent itself to personal improvement once I decided to allow it into my kitchen. My husband says that he has yet to find out that I've actually followed a recipe but since the food is good, he has yet to complain! Need a Lenten Friday meal? Leave out the chicken and enjoy a different pasta and cheese dish.

Fast and Easy Cheesy Chicken

8-10 ounces your favorite pasta
2 1/2 cups cauliflower cut into small florets
Olive oil as needed
1 small onion, finely diced
4 cloves of garlic, smashed and chopped
1/2 cup white wine
3 1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon chili flakes
1 1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
2 1/2 cups cooked and shredded chicken (In a hurry, used canned chicken!)
Fresh chopped green onions to taste
Panko crumbs*
2 tablespoons melted butter

Steam the cauliflower until just tender.  Cook the pasta, drain and combine with cauliflower and set aside.

Melt the two tablespoons of butter, add the Panko crumbs, and brown in a small frying pan being careful to not scorch them. Set aside.

In a large pot, add some olive oil, the onions, and garlic. Saute until tender. Add the wine and let cook down for a minute or two. Add the milk and bring to a mild simmer so you don't break down the milk.

Combine the grated cheese with the salt, pepper, chili flakes, and cheese. Mix to get the flour dusted throughout the mixture. Add to the milk mixture and stir constantly until the cheese melts and you have a smooth sauce. Stir in the chicken and heat through. Mix in the green onion, top each serving with the buttered Panko or bread crumbs.

*If you don't have Panko crumbs, use bread crumbs.