Description
Creamy chicken and broccoli pasta delivers comfort wrapped in a delightful Italian-inspired embrace. Cheesy sauce, tender chicken, and crisp broccoli create a perfect balance that will satisfy your dinner cravings with pure homemade goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne or fettuccine)
Protein and Vegetables:
- 2 lbs (907 g) boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 2 heads broccoli
- 4 cloves garlic
Sauce and Seasonings:
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) chicken broth
- 1/2 cup (50 g) parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Heat a large pot of salted water to boiling and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes, then drain and set aside.
- Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized cubes, ensuring uniform pieces for even cooking.
- Chop broccoli into small florets, discarding thick stems and maintaining consistent size for balanced cooking.
- Mince garlic cloves finely to release their aromatic flavors and ensure even distribution in the dish.
- Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat, adding olive oil to create a hot cooking surface.
- Sauté chicken cubes for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and fully cooked through with no pink interior.
- Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds, releasing its fragrant notes without burning.
- Introduce broccoli florets to the skillet, stirring and cooking for 3-4 minutes until bright green and slightly tender.
- Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, creating a rich, velvety sauce base.
- Sprinkle salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes, stirring to incorporate and develop layered seasonings.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer sauce for 2-3 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to slightly thicken.
- Gently fold cooked pasta into the skillet, ensuring complete coating with creamy sauce.
- Finish by generously sprinkling parmesan cheese, stirring to create a luxurious, melted coating.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately, garnishing with additional parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Prep ingredients uniformly to ensure consistent cooking and balanced texture throughout the dish.
- Use high-quality, fresh chicken and crisp broccoli for maximum flavor and nutritional value.
- Control skillet temperature carefully to prevent burning garlic and achieve perfect golden-brown chicken.
- Adjust cream sauce consistency by adding more broth if too thick or simmering longer to reduce and thicken.
- Substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half for lighter, lower-calorie options.
- Include red pepper flakes cautiously, gradually adding to control spice level for different heat preferences.
- Allow pasta to rest briefly after mixing to help sauce fully absorb and coat each noodle.
- Store leftovers in airtight container, reheating gently with splash of broth to maintain sauce’s creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 578
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 51 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 44 g
- Cholesterol: 142 mg