Description
A creamy and satisfying homemade chicken and broccoli pasta dish featuring tender chicken breast, fresh broccoli florets, and a rich Parmesan cream sauce tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. This easy-to-make recipe is ideal for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 2 cups pasta
- 1 lb chicken breast
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for any optional finishing steps or warmth maintenance.
- Boil water: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil to cook the pasta.
- Cook pasta: Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Season chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Heat skillet: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Cook chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the hot skillet and cook for about 6-7 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked through and no longer pink inside. Remove from skillet and let rest for a few minutes before slicing.
- Sauté garlic: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Cook broccoli: Add the broccoli florets to the skillet with the garlic and cook for 3-4 minutes until they become slightly tender but still bright green.
- Make sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Toss pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat all the noodles with the creamy sauce.
- Add chicken: Slice the rested chicken breasts thinly and add them to the skillet, mixing everything together.
- Season and combine: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed, stirring everything until combined evenly.
- Serve: Serve the chicken and broccoli pasta hot, optionally garnished with extra Parmesan cheese for an added flavor boost. Enjoy your delicious homemade meal!
Notes
- You can use any pasta shape you prefer, but penne or fusilli work well to hold the sauce.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, but the sauce will be less thick.
- Leftover pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To add more veggies, consider including mushrooms or bell peppers when sautéing the garlic.
- If you prefer, grill the chicken instead of pan-frying for a smokier flavor.
