Description
Comfort meets elegance in this luscious Chicken and Broccoli Pasta, blending tender chicken, crisp broccoli, and a silky parmesan sauce. Hearty ingredients dance together, creating a satisfying meal that promises warmth and flavor in every delightful bite you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound chicken breast, diced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 2 cups pasta (penne or rotini)
Dairy and Cream:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Oils:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente, then drain and reserve.
- Sear chicken pieces in a hot skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat until golden and thoroughly cooked, approximately 6-8 minutes. Transfer protein to a separate plate.
- Lower skillet temperature and sauté minced garlic until aromatic, roughly 30-45 seconds.
- Introduce broccoli florets to the skillet, cooking until vibrant green and slightly tender, about 3-4 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and pour heavy cream into the vegetable mixture, stirring continuously.
- Incorporate Parmesan cheese, dried basil, salt, and black pepper into the cream sauce, whisking until smooth and cheese melts completely.
- Return cooked chicken to the skillet and fold in reserved pasta, ensuring every ingredient is generously coated with the creamy sauce.
- Simmer the entire mixture for 2-3 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and ingredients to reach a consistent temperature.
- Transfer to serving plates immediately, optionally garnishing with additional freshly grated Parmesan cheese for extra richness.
Notes
- Choose whole wheat or gluten-free pasta to make the dish more diet-friendly for those with specific nutritional needs.
- Cut broccoli into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
- Swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half for a lighter, lower-calorie version that still maintains a creamy consistency.
- Add red pepper flakes or cayenne for extra heat if you enjoy a spicier pasta experience, allowing personalization of flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 490 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 370 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg