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Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta

Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta
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Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dinner dish combining tender chicken, vibrant broccoli, and perfectly cooked pasta all enveloped in a luscious, velvety creamy sauce. It’s quick to prepare, balanced in nutrition, family-friendly, and customizable, making it an ideal meal for busy weeknights or cozy evenings.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

Vegetables

  • 2 cups broccoli florets, fresh or frozen
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Pasta

  • 8 oz pasta of choice (penne or fettuccine recommended)

Sauce

  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Cooking Essentials

  • 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ingredients: Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and separate the broccoli into small florets. Mince the garlic and prepare pasta to cook in salted boiling water.
  2. Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces with salt and pepper and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.
  3. Sauté Garlic and Steam Broccoli: In the same skillet, add a little more oil if needed. Sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add broccoli florets with a splash of water, cover the pan, and steam until broccoli is tender yet bright green, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Make the Creamy Sauce: Pour in heavy cream or half-and-half and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce thickens slightly. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
  5. Combine Pasta, Chicken, and Sauce: Drain the cooked pasta and add it to the skillet along with the cooked chicken. Toss everything together, ensuring each piece of pasta is coated evenly with the creamy sauce and broccoli is well distributed.
  6. Serve and Enjoy: Once heated through, taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Plate the Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta and enjoy immediately.

Notes

  • Don’t overcook the broccoli; keep it bright and slightly crisp for best texture and nutrition.
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese as it melts better and adds richer flavor than pre-grated.
  • Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if it becomes too thick.
  • Cook pasta al dente to prevent it from becoming mushy when combined with the sauce.
  • Let the sauce rest off the heat for a minute before mixing to allow it to thicken properly.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy chicken pasta, broccoli pasta, chicken dinner, easy dinner recipe, family meal, quick pasta recipe, creamy sauce, healthy pasta

Find it online: https://jamescookes.com/creamy-chicken-and-broccoli-pasta/