Here’s a detailed Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta recipe — rich, comforting, and ready in about 30 minutes 🍝🥦🍗
🍝 Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne, fettuccine, or farfalle)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb (450 g) chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter version)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Step-by-Step Directions
1. Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
- During the last 2–3 minutes, add broccoli florets to the boiling pasta.
- Drain pasta and broccoli; reserve ½ cup pasta water.
2. Cook the Chicken
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
- Add chicken to the skillet and cook 5–7 minutes, until golden and cooked through.
- Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
3. Make the Creamy Sauce
- In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth; stir well.
- Add Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), and salt/pepper to taste.
- Simmer gently for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Combine Pasta, Chicken, and Sauce
- Add cooked chicken, pasta, and broccoli to the sauce.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese.
- If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Cook 1–2 minutes to heat everything through.
5. Serve
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan.
- Optional: add a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.
⭐ Tips for Success
- Use freshly grated Parmesan — it melts better than pre-shredded.
- Don’t overcook broccoli — it should be bright green and slightly crisp.
- For extra richness, stir in 1 tbsp butter at the end.
Variations
- Garlic Herb: add fresh thyme or rosemary.
- Cheesy: stir in ½ cup shredded mozzarella for extra creaminess.
- Healthy version: use half-and-half or whole milk instead of cream.
- One-pan method: cook chicken, sauce, and pasta together in a deep skillet, adding pasta gradually with water to save time and dishes.