Description
This easy chicken broccoli pasta recipe is creamy, comforting, and perfect for busy weeknights. With tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and a velvety Parmesan sauce, it’s a family-friendly dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
2 medium chicken breasts, diced
12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or shells)
3 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
2 tablespoons olive oil (or butter)
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
¾ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Salt and pepper, to taste
Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
Sauté chicken in olive oil until golden and cooked through. Remove from pan and set aside.
Sauté garlic in the same pan until fragrant.
Steam broccoli in chicken broth for 3–4 minutes, until tender-crisp.
Stir in cream and Parmesan, simmer gently until sauce thickens. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed.
Combine pasta, chicken, and sauce in the skillet. Toss until coated. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan and fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
Swap chicken with shrimp or rotisserie chicken for variety.Frozen broccoli works—no need to thaw first.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with extra broth or cream.
Can be frozen for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner / Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 520kcl
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: easy chicken broccoli pasta, creamy pasta recipe, weeknight pasta dinner