Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta is the ultimate comfort dish, combining tender pieces of chicken, vibrant broccoli, and perfectly cooked pasta in a deliciously creamy sauce. This recipe is easy enough for a weeknight dinner but tastes like a gourmet meal you’d order at a restaurant. With just one pot and simple ingredients, you can make a wholesome, satisfying dish that pleases the whole family. It’s a delightful blend of flavors and textures, balancing the savory, juicy chicken with the mild, creamy sauce and the fresh bite of broccoli. Whether you’re new to cooking or an experienced chef, this Chicken and Broccoli Pasta recipe will become a staple in your meal rotation.
Prep Time
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (penne, fettuccine, or your choice)
- 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
- 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 package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté the Chicken: In the same pot, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 5–7 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside.
- Steam the Broccoli: Add the broccoli florets to the same pot and sauté for about 2 minutes until bright green and slightly tender. Remove and set aside with the chicken.
- Cook the Garlic: Reduce heat to medium, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, and cook the minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Make the Cream Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring well to combine. Let the mixture simmer for about 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Combine Everything: Add the cooked pasta, chicken, and broccoli back into the pot. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until everything is well coated. Season with additional salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) to taste.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm, with extra Parmesan cheese on top.
Cooking Tips
- Pasta Choices: Use any pasta shape you like, but penne, fettuccine, or farfalle work best for holding the creamy sauce.
- Timing is Key: Start cooking the sauce once the pasta and chicken are ready. This helps everything stay warm and prevents overcooking.
- Cheese Quality: Freshly grated Parmesan adds the best flavor and melts into the sauce seamlessly. Avoid pre-shredded cheese, as it often contains anti-caking agents that don’t melt as smoothly.
- Creamy Texture: For a thicker sauce, allow the cream and broth to reduce further before adding the cheese. If you prefer a lighter sauce, substitute with half-and-half or milk.
- Make it Spicy: For those who enjoy heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce.
- Add Extra Veggies: You can easily add other vegetables like bell peppers, peas, or mushrooms to this dish. Just cook them along with the broccoli to maintain their flavor and texture.
Nutritional Benefits
Chicken is an excellent source of lean protein, which helps build and repair muscles. Broccoli provides essential vitamins like vitamin C, K, and folate, as well as dietary fiber, which supports digestion and immunity. The pasta offers complex carbohydrates, providing steady energy, and the Parmesan cheese contributes calcium and a delightful richness. This creamy sauce may feel indulgent, but it’s balanced with wholesome ingredients to make a complete, satisfying meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Chicken and Broccoli Pasta is creamy, flavorful, and comforting, combining classic flavors in a way that’s both rich and satisfying. The dish comes together in one pot, so there’s minimal cleanup required—a lifesaver on busy weeknights. The tender chicken, crisp-tender broccoli, and creamy Parmesan sauce blend beautifully, making this dish feel like a restaurant-quality meal with the simplicity of homemade comfort food. Each bite is perfectly seasoned, and the broccoli adds a refreshing crunch and vibrant color, creating an inviting and balanced meal.
Dietary Information
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta and check that the chicken broth is gluten-free.
- Dairy-Free: Substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream and use a dairy-free Parmesan alternative for a dairy-free option.
- Vegetarian: To make this recipe vegetarian, replace the chicken with plant-based protein options, such as tofu or chickpeas, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Low-Carb: Substitute traditional pasta with a low-carb option like zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash for a lighter, low-carb version.
Why This Recipe Works
This Chicken and Broccoli Pasta recipe works so well because it balances hearty ingredients with a creamy, flavorful sauce that brings everything together. The pasta provides a neutral base for the chicken and broccoli, allowing the sauce to coat each ingredient for a consistent, harmonious flavor. The chicken and broccoli cook quickly, making the recipe perfect for weeknight dinners, and the Parmesan cheese melts beautifully into the sauce, adding depth without overpowering the other flavors. The combination of textures—from the tender pasta to the juicy chicken and the slightly crisp broccoli—keeps each bite interesting and satisfying.
Conclusion
Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta is a dish that brings comfort, flavor, and nutrition in a single pot. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe is ideal for busy nights when you want a homemade meal that tastes like something special. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just yourself, this pasta dish will make you feel at home with each bite. Its balanced flavors, creamy sauce, and easy cleanup make it a go-to recipe for anyone who loves a satisfying, versatile meal. Serve it with a fresh salad or some garlic bread, and you’ll have a meal that’s both nourishing and delicious.
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Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta – A Perfect One-Pot Meal
- Total Time: 30mins
Description
Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta is the ultimate comfort dish, combining tender pieces of chicken, vibrant broccoli, and perfectly cooked pasta in a deliciously creamy sauce. This recipe is easy enough for a weeknight dinner but tastes like a gourmet meal you’d order at a restaurant. With just one pot and simple ingredients, you can make a wholesome, satisfying dish that pleases the whole family. It’s a delightful blend of flavors and textures, balancing the savory, juicy chicken with the mild, creamy sauce and the fresh bite of broccoli. Whether you’re new to cooking or an experienced chef, this Chicken and Broccoli Pasta recipe will become a staple in your meal rotation.
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (penne, fettuccine, or your choice)
- 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
- 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 package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté the Chicken: In the same pot, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 5–7 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside.
- Steam the Broccoli: Add the broccoli florets to the same pot and sauté for about 2 minutes until bright green and slightly tender. Remove and set aside with the chicken.
- Cook the Garlic: Reduce heat to medium, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, and cook the minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Make the Cream Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring well to combine. Let the mixture simmer for about 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Combine Everything: Add the cooked pasta, chicken, and broccoli back into the pot. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until everything is well coated. Season with additional salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) to taste.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm, with extra Parmesan cheese on top.
- Prep Time: 10mins
- Cook Time: 20mins