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–+ servings

Easy Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta

Rose
This easy creamy chicken and broccoli pasta features tender chicken, vibrant broccoli, and pasta tossed in a rich, velvety Parmesan cream sauce. It’s a comforting, family-friendly dinner that comes together in about 30 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian-Inspired
Servings 4 servings
Calories 620 kcal

Equipment

  • large pot
  • large skillet
  • colander
  • wooden spoon
  • chef’s knife

Ingredients
  

  • 340 g pasta (penne, fettuccine, or rigatoni)
  • 450 g boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into pieces
  • 3 cups fresh broccoli florets
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp dried herbs (thyme, oregano, or basil)
  • salt, to taste
  • black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup reserved pasta cooking water

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then cook until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  • Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the same skillet. Once melted, stir in garlic and dried herbs and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  • Pour in the heavy cream and lemon juice. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
  • Add broccoli florets and simmer until tender-crisp. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
  • Return chicken to the skillet, add cooked pasta, and toss to combine. Use reserved pasta water as needed to adjust sauce consistency. Season to taste and serve immediately.

Notes

Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest sauce. Don’t overcook the broccoli—keep it tender-crisp for the best texture. Add reserved pasta water gradually to loosen the sauce if needed.

Nutrition

Calories: 620kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 35gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 18gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 135mgSodium: 680mgPotassium: 620mgFiber: 4gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 950IUVitamin C: 75mgCalcium: 260mgIron: 2.4mg
Keyword chicken broccoli pasta, creamy chicken pasta, easy pasta dinner, weeknight pasta recipe
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