• 1 ½ cups broccoli florets boiled or steamed til tender
• 1 ½ cups small pasta (I used spiral but you could also use macaroni, penne, or shells) boiled til tender and drained
• 1 ½ cups shredded or diced cooked chicken (see note)

Sauce

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt or to taste
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 2 ½ cups milk, half & half, or heavy cream (I prefer half & half but heavy cream will have the richest flavor)
• 4 ounces cream cheese softened
• 1 cup shaved parmesan cheese divided

Topping

• 1 tablespoon butter
• ⅔ cup panko breadcrumbs
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning