Description
Indulgent chicken and broccoli pasta brings comfort to your dinner table with creamy sauce and hearty ingredients. Savory chicken, tender broccoli, and perfectly cooked pasta combine for a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb chicken breast, diced
Carbohydrates:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) farfalle pasta
- 2 cups broccoli florets
Seasonings and Extras:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare a large pot with salted water, bringing it to a rolling boil at high heat (approximately 212°F). Add farfalle pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente.
- During the final 3 minutes of pasta cooking, introduce broccoli florets directly into the boiling water. This synchronizes their cooking time and ensures perfect texture.
- Drain the pasta and broccoli simultaneously in a colander, setting them aside momentarily while preparing the next component.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat (around 350°F). Once the oil shimmers, carefully add diced chicken breast seasoned with salt and pepper.
- Sauté the chicken for 5-7 minutes, stirring periodically, until the exterior turns golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Incorporate minced garlic and red pepper flakes into the skillet, stirring continuously for 1-2 minutes until the garlic releases its aromatic essence.
- Transfer the drained pasta and broccoli into the skillet with the seasoned chicken, gently mixing to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the mixture, stirring until the cheese melts and coats the pasta and chicken uniformly.
- Perform a final taste assessment, adjusting seasoning with additional salt or pepper as needed.
- Plate the dish immediately, optionally garnishing with extra Parmesan and chopped fresh parsley for enhanced flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Choose whole wheat pasta for added fiber and nutrition, making the dish more wholesome and heart-healthy.
- Skip the cheese or use nutritional yeast for a dairy-free version that still delivers rich, savory flavor.
- Prep all ingredients before cooking to ensure a smooth, stress-free 30-minute meal preparation process.
- Swap chicken with tofu or plant-based protein alternatives to create a vegetarian or vegan-friendly option that maintains the dish’s delicious profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg