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Why Make This Recipe
Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta is a perfect weeknight meal. It combines tender chicken and fresh broccoli with hearty pasta in a rich and creamy sauce. This dish is not only delicious but also easy to make. It is great for families and can be ready in less than 30 minutes!
How to Make Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta
Ingredients:
- 8 oz rigatoni or penne pasta
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 lb boneless chicken breast, diced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Directions:
- Cook Pasta & Broccoli: Boil pasta according to package directions. Add broccoli florets during the last 2–3 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Cook Chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil. Cook chicken pieces until golden and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
- Make Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter. Sauté garlic until fragrant. Stir in cream, broth, Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Simmer until slightly thickened.
- Combine: Toss pasta, broccoli, and chicken into the sauce. Stir until coated and heated through.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan if desired!
How to Serve Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta
Serve the pasta warm. You can enjoy it with a side salad or some crusty bread. This dish looks great on the table with a sprinkle of parsley and extra cheese on top.
How to Store Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta
To store leftovers, place the pasta in an airtight container. It can stay in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm it in a skillet or microwave until heated through.
Tips to Make Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta
- Use fresh broccoli for the best flavor.
- You can swap the chicken for shrimp or a different protein.
- If you like it spicy, add some red pepper flakes to the sauce.
Variation
For a vegetarian option, leave out the chicken and replace it with extra veggies like bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms. You can also add beans for protein.
FAQs
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Can I use different pasta shapes?
Yes, any pasta shape you like will work, such as fettuccine or bowtie. -
How can I make this dish lighter?
You can use low-fat cream or milk instead of heavy cream, and reduce the amount of butter. -
Is this dish freezable?
Yes, you can freeze it, but it’s best to add the broccoli fresh when reheating. The texture may change slightly when thawed.
Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz rigatoni or penne pasta
- 2 cups broccoli florets Use fresh for the best flavor.
- 1 lb boneless chicken breast, diced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream Can be substituted with low-fat cream for a lighter option.
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese Add more for serving if desired.
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Cooking Pasta and Broccoli
- Boil pasta according to package directions.
- Add broccoli florets during the last 2–3 minutes.
- Drain and set aside.
Cooking Chicken
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil.
- Cook chicken pieces until golden and fully cooked.
- Remove chicken and set aside.
Making Sauce
- In the same skillet, melt butter.
- Sauté garlic until fragrant.
- Stir in cream, broth, Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer until slightly thickened.
Combining Ingredients
- Toss pasta, broccoli, and chicken into the sauce.
- Stir until coated and heated through.
Serving
- Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.