The Creamiest Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Recipe You’ll Love

Spinning a simple chicken and broccoli pasta into a culinary adventure that sparks excitement at your dinner table.

Weeknight meals can feel monotonous, but this vibrant recipe breaks through bland dinner routines.

Creamy textures blend with hearty protein and crisp green vegetables for a satisfying combination.

Fresh herbs and a clever seasoning trick make this dish stand out from standard pasta preparations.

Nutritious ingredients come together quickly, promising minimal effort with maximum flavor impact.

The magic happens when you layer complementary tastes that dance across your palate.

Hungry for a meal that delivers both comfort and excitement?

Grab your skillet and let’s create something delicious!

Perfect Pairings For Chicken And Broccoli Pasta

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Complement the creamy sauce and savory chicken with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, which cuts through the richness and enhances the dish's delicate flavors.
• Add Fresh Herbal Side Salad: Create a light counterpoint with a zesty mixed green salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette, featuring arugula, basil, and a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts to balance the pasta's creamy texture.
• Serve with Garlic Bread Crunch: Prepare a crusty garlic bread with a golden, buttery exterior to provide a delightful textural contrast and soak up the delicious sauce, adding an extra layer of flavor and comfort.
• Select Sparkling Water with Citrus: Refresh the palate with a sparkling water infused with lemon or lime slices, cutting through the dish's creaminess and providing a clean, bright accompaniment to the hearty pasta.

Tasty Ways To Switch Up Chicken And Broccoli Pasta

• Spicy Southwest Chicken Pasta: Swap paprika with chili powder and add diced jalapeños for heat. Mix in black beans, corn, and top with fresh cilantro for a zesty southwestern flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Herb Chicken Pasta: Replace garlic powder with dried oregano and basil. Add crumbled feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and kalamata olives to create a Mediterranean-inspired dish with bright, tangy notes.
• Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta: Substitute the milk-based sauce with store-bought or homemade pesto. Stir in some heavy cream for extra richness and sprinkle toasted pine nuts on top for added crunch and nutty depth.
• Low-Carb Zucchini Pasta Version: Use spiralized zucchini noodles instead of traditional pasta. Keep the chicken and broccoli the same, but lighten the sauce by using Greek yogurt or a lighter cream alternative for a healthier spin.

Chicken And Broccoli Pasta FAQs You’ll Want To Read

• Why should I use garlic powder and paprika for the chicken?

Garlic powder and paprika add deep, complex flavor to the chicken, helping to create a more robust taste profile without overwhelming the dish. They also help create a beautiful golden-brown color when cooking.

• Can I use a different type of pasta for this recipe?

Absolutely! While the recipe suggests a specific pasta, you can easily substitute with penne, rotini, or farfalle. Just ensure the pasta shape can hold the creamy sauce well and has enough surface area to catch the flavors.

• Is this dish considered a balanced meal?

Yes! This chicken and broccoli pasta offers a great balance of protein from chicken, carbohydrates from pasta, and nutrients from broccoli. The Parmesan cheese and milk in the sauce also provide additional calcium and protein, making it a nutritionally complete meal.

• How can I make this recipe healthier?

To make the dish lighter, you can use whole wheat pasta, reduce the butter quantity, use low-fat milk, and increase the proportion of broccoli. These simple swaps can significantly reduce calories while maintaining the delicious flavor profile.

Why Chicken And Broccoli Pasta Makes Weeknights Easy

• Speedy Weeknight Wonder: This chicken and broccoli pasta delivers a complete meal in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy families craving a delicious dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Creamy Comfort with a Nutritious Twist: The velvety Parmesan sauce creates a luxurious coating while the broccoli adds a healthy green boost, balancing indulgence with nutrition in every single bite.
• One-Skillet Magic: Minimize dishes and maximize flavor by cooking everything in a single skillet, transforming basic ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal with minimal cleanup and maximum convenience.
• Customizable Culinary Canvas: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping chicken for other proteins, adjusting spice levels, or adding extra vegetables to suit personal taste preferences and dietary needs.

What You’ll Need For Chicken And Broccoli Pasta

• Chicken: Tender protein that adds heartiness and flavor to the dish, choose boneless and skinless for easy preparation.
• Parmesan Cheese: Rich, salty cheese that enhances the sauce's depth and provides a classic Italian touch.

• Pasta, Broccoli: Hearty base of the dish, select short pasta like penne or rotini for better sauce coating, broccoli adds nutrition and fresh green color.

• Olive Oil, Butter: Essential fats for cooking and creating rich flavor, choose extra virgin olive oil for best taste.
• Milk: Creamy base for the sauce, whole milk provides better richness.
• Garlic Powder, Paprika, Salt, Pepper: Core seasonings that build deep flavor profile for chicken and sauce.
• Flour: Thickening agent for creating smooth sauce texture.
• Minced Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides intense flavor base.
• Nutmeg: Optional warm spice that adds subtle complexity to the sauce.
• Red Pepper Flakes, Parsley: Optional garnish for adding heat and fresh herb notes.

How To Make Chicken And Broccoli Pasta The Simple Way

Step 1: Boil Pasta and Broccoli

Fill a large pot with water and sprinkle in some salt. Let the water dance to a rolling boil. Gently slide in the pasta and let it cook until it’s almost ready. Toss in the broccoli florets during the last few minutes of cooking. Once perfectly tender, drain the pasta and broccoli, setting them aside for their delicious destiny.

Step 2: Sizzle the Chicken

• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper

Let the chicken sizzle and golden in the pan, cooking until it’s completely done and bursting with flavor. Transfer the chicken to a plate, giving it a moment to rest.

Step 3: Craft the Velvety Sauce

• Parmesan cheese
• A whisper of nutmeg
• Salt
• Pepper

Taste and adjust the seasoning to your heart’s content.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Reunite the pasta, broccoli, and chicken in the skillet. Gently toss everything in the luscious sauce, ensuring each morsel is lovingly coated.

Step 5: Plate and Celebrate

• Red pepper flakes
• Chopped fresh parsley
• Additional Parmesan cheese

Dive in and enjoy your culinary masterpiece!

Tips For Creamy And Flavorful Chicken And Broccoli Pasta

• Pasta Perfection: Choose high-quality pasta like penne or fusilli to hold the creamy sauce effectively and create better texture.
• Broccoli Brilliance: Steam broccoli briefly to maintain vibrant green color and preserve nutrients while preventing overcooking.
• Chicken Searing Secret: Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure golden-brown exterior and lock in delicious flavors.
• Sauce Smoothing Technique: Whisk milk slowly into roux to prevent lumps and create silky, consistent sauce texture.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute regular flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend, and use gluten-free pasta for dietary needs.

How To Store And Reheat Chicken And Broccoli Pasta Like A Pro

• Refrigerate in an Airtight Container: Store your chicken and broccoli pasta in a sealed container within 2 hours of cooking. The dish will keep fresh in the refrigerator for 34 days.
• Reheat in Microwave: Place a single serving in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water to prevent drying, and heat for 12 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.
• Restore Creamy Texture: If the sauce looks separated or thick when cold, whisk in a splash of milk while reheating to help restore its original smooth consistency.
• Avoid Freezing: Skip freezing this pasta dish, as the cream sauce tends to break down and separate when thawed, compromising the texture and flavor of the meal.

Chicken And Broccoli Pasta Recipe

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4.7 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent chicken and broccoli pasta delivers comfort with Italian-inspired elegance, blending creamy textures and hearty flavors. Rich parmesan and tender chicken create a delightful meal that satisfies hunger and warms souls with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 12 ounces (340 grams) penne, fettuccine, or your favorite pasta
• 2 cups broccoli florets

Seasoning and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Sauce Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk (or half-and-half for creaminess)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)

Optional Garnishes:

• Crushed red pepper flakes
• Chopped parsley
• Additional Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Initiate the pasta preparation by bringing a generously salted water vessel to a rolling boil. Submerge the pasta and allow it to cook according to package guidelines. Introduce broccoli florets during the final moments of pasta cooking, ensuring simultaneous drainage and setting aside.
2. Select a spacious skillet and warm olive oil over moderate heat. Generously season chicken segments with aromatic spices, carefully distributing garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Carefully place seasoned chicken into the heated pan, allowing each piece to transform into a golden-hued delicacy through 6-8 minutes of attentive cooking. Transfer perfectly cooked chicken to a separate plate.
3. Utilize the same skillet for sauce creation, melting butter with precision. Incorporate minced garlic, allowing its fragrance to permeate the kitchen within a brief minute. Sprinkle flour and create a delicate roux through gentle stirring. Slowly introduce milk, whisking continuously to prevent lumps, and allow the mixture to simmer and thicken. Fold in Parmesan cheese, adding a whisper of nutmeg, salt, and pepper to elevate the flavor profile.
4. Reunite the cooked pasta, tender broccoli, and succulent chicken within the creamy sauce. Gently toss, ensuring each ingredient becomes luxuriously coated with the velvety mixture.
5. Present the culinary creation in elegant serving bowls, offering optional embellishments like crushed red pepper flakes, freshly chopped parsley, or an additional sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for those desiring extra indulgence.

Notes

• Customize the pasta by using whole wheat or gluten-free pasta for a healthier alternative that caters to different dietary needs.
• Ensure broccoli retains its vibrant green color and crisp texture by blanching it briefly in boiling water, which helps maintain nutrients and prevents overcooking.
• Create a lighter sauce version by substituting some milk with low-fat chicken broth or using Greek yogurt for added protein and reduced calories.
• Boost flavor complexity by experimenting with additional herbs like thyme or rosemary, or adding a splash of white wine during sauce preparation for depth.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 570
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 650 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 65 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg