Description
This Chicken and Broccoli Pasta is a creamy, comforting dish that combines tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and pasta in a rich, garlicky Parmesan sauce. It’s a quick and easy weeknight dinner that’s full of flavor and perfect for the whole family!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (16 oz) pasta (penne, rotini, or your favorite shape)
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
-
Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. About 2-3 minutes before the pasta is done, add the broccoli florets to the pot. Drain the pasta and broccoli together and set aside.
-
Cook the Chicken:
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
-
Make the Sauce:
- In the same skillet, add the diced onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes, or until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer. Allow it to simmer for 3-4 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
-
Combine Everything:
- Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet along with the drained pasta and broccoli.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and mix until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy and well-coated. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
-
Serve:
- Serve the chicken and broccoli pasta immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- You can use rotisserie chicken to save time.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half or milk instead of heavy cream.
- Add red pepper flakes if you like a bit of heat.
- You can use frozen broccoli; just be sure to thaw it before adding it to the pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 70mg