Description
Comforting chicken and broccoli pasta brings creamy Italian-inspired flavors to weeknight dinners. Cheesy, hearty goodness fills your plate with simple ingredients that promise delightful satisfaction in every delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups chicken breast, diced
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 8 oz pasta (penne or rotini)
Sauce and Seasoning:
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Optional Garnish:
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by dicing chicken into uniform cubes, chopping broccoli into bite-sized florets, and mincing garlic cloves for quick cooking.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, then cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant without browning.
- Add diced chicken to the skillet, seasoning with salt and pepper, and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally until chicken is golden and completely cooked through.
- Introduce broccoli florets to the skillet, stirring and cooking for an additional 3-4 minutes until they turn bright green and become slightly tender.
- Pour heavy cream into the skillet, reducing heat to medium-low, and gently simmer for 2 minutes to allow sauce to slightly thicken.
- Add cooked pasta directly into the skillet, tossing everything together to coat evenly with the creamy sauce, using reserved pasta water to adjust consistency if needed.
- Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese over the dish, stirring to incorporate and create a smooth, rich coating.
- Transfer to serving plates, garnish with chopped fresh parsley and optional red pepper flakes for added heat and color.
- Serve immediately while hot, ensuring a perfect blend of creamy sauce, tender chicken, and crisp broccoli.
Notes
- Customize chicken by using rotisserie or pre-cooked chicken for faster meal preparation.
- Replace heavy cream with lighter alternatives like Greek yogurt or milk to reduce calorie content.
- Boost nutritional value by adding extra vegetables like spinach or bell peppers for more color and nutrients.
- Experiment with different pasta shapes like penne or fusilli to create unique texture variations in the dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg