Here’s a delicious, cozy, and easy Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta recipe—perfect for a quick weeknight meal with comforting flavors and a silky sauce.
🍝 Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta
Ingredients (serves 4)
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne, rotini, or fettuccine)
- 2 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
- 1 lb (450 g) chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tbsp butter (optional, for extra richness)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add pasta and cook according to package instructions.
- During the last 2–3 minutes, add broccoli to the boiling pasta.
- Drain pasta and broccoli, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
2. Cook the Chicken
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper.
- Cook 5–7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove chicken and set aside.
3. Make the Cream Sauce
- In the same skillet, add garlic and sauté 30 seconds.
- Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth.
- Add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes.
- Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese and butter until melted and smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Combine Everything
- Add chicken back to the skillet.
- Add cooked pasta and broccoli.
- Toss to coat in the sauce.
- Add a splash of pasta water if sauce needs thinning.
5. Serve
- Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan.
- Serve warm with garlic bread or a green salad.
⭐ Tips & Variations
- Lighter version: Use half-and-half or evaporated milk instead of cream.
- Extra veggies: Add mushrooms, spinach, or peas.
- Cheesy: Add shredded mozzarella or cream cheese for thicker, richer sauce.
- Spicy: Add extra red pepper flakes or a pinch of Cajun seasoning.
- Make it one-pot: Cook pasta and broccoli in the same pot; make sauce and combine—easy cleanup!
If you want, I can also make a:
- One-pot 20-minute version
- Cheddar broccoli version
- Low-carb version using chicken and broccoli only
Just tell me!
