Luscious Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Recipe for Dinner Magic

Weeknight dinners demand quick, satisfying meals that chicken and broccoli pasta effortlessly delivers.

Comfort meets nutrition in this classic combination of tender protein and vibrant green vegetables.

Creamy sauce coats every strand of pasta, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.

Each forkful promises a delightful balance of hearty chicken and crisp broccoli.

The simple ingredients come together in less than 30 minutes, making this dish a lifesaver for busy households.

Cheese adds a luxurious touch that elevates the entire meal from ordinary to extraordinary.

Prepare to savor every delicious bite of this crowd-pleasing recipe.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 520 kcal

Servings: 4

Chicken Pasta Ingredient Breakdown

• Pasta: Serves as the hearty base of the dish, choose a shape that captures sauce well like penne or fusilli.
• Broccoli Florets: Adds vibrant green color and nutritional boost, select fresh, crisp florets with deep green color.

• Chicken: Provides lean protein, opt for boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs for tender texture.

• Olive Oil, Butter: Creates rich flavor base and helps cook ingredients smoothly, use extra virgin olive oil for best taste.
• Garlic Powder, Garlic: Infuses deep aromatic flavor, fresh garlic provides more intense taste than powdered.
• Flour: Helps thicken sauce and create smooth consistency, all-purpose flour works perfectly.
• Milk: Creates creamy sauce base, whole milk gives richer result.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, salty depth to sauce, freshly grated provides superior flavor.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Enhances overall dish seasoning, use freshly ground black pepper for maximum flavor.

• Red Pepper Flakes, Parsley: Adds color and extra flavor kick, fresh parsley brings brightness.
• Nutmeg: Provides subtle warm undertone to sauce, use sparingly.
• Paprika: Adds mild smoky flavor and beautiful color to chicken.

What You’ll Need for a Creamy Pasta Dinner

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling pasta and broccoli together with enough space.
• Large Skillet: Perfect for cooking chicken and creating creamy sauce.
• Colander: Needed to drain pasta and broccoli after cooking.
• Whisk: Crucial for blending sauce ingredients smoothly without lumps.
• Cutting Board: Used for preparing chicken and chopping optional garnishes.
• Sharp Knife: Required for cutting chicken pieces and herbs.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Helps accurately measure ingredients like flour, milk, and seasonings.

Cook Chicken Broccoli Pasta Without Fuss

• Boil Water and Cook Pasta

Grab a big pot and fill it with water. Sprinkle in some salt and bring it to a rolling boil. Drop in your pasta and cook until it’s almost ready. In the last few minutes, toss in fresh broccoli florets to cook together.

• Sizzle the Chicken

Heat up a skillet with a splash of olive oil. Season chicken pieces with a mix of spices that’ll make your taste buds dance. Cook until the chicken turns a beautiful golden brown and is completely done through.

• Whip Up the Creamy Sauce

In the same pan, melt some butter and add minced garlic. Sprinkle in flour and stir to create a smooth base. Slowly pour in milk, whisking constantly until the sauce becomes silky and thick. Stir in Parmesan cheese for an extra burst of flavor.

• Bring It All Together

Dump the cooked pasta, broccoli, and chicken into the creamy sauce. Toss everything until each piece is luxuriously coated. The happens when all these flavors start to mingle.

• Serve and Enjoy

Scoop the pasta into bowls and add a final flourish with some red pepper flakes or a sprinkle of fresh herbs. Your delicious meal is ready to devour!

Flavor Fixes for Richer Sauce

• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure a crispy, golden-brown exterior that locks in moisture and maximizes flavor.
• For crunchier broccoli, briefly blanch instead of boiling with pasta, or roast in the oven with a drizzle of olive oil for added depth and caramelization.
• Easily substitute chicken with shrimp, turkey, or plant-based alternatives like tofu or tempeh for a versatile meal that suits different dietary preferences.
• Replace regular flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend when making the roux, and use gluten-free pasta to create a celiac-friendly version of this dish.
• Swap milk with unsweetened almond or oat milk, and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese to create a creamy sauce that's completely dairy-free.

Serve Chicken Pasta Hot and Hearty

• Cozy Family Dinner Centerpiece: Place the steaming pasta in a large, rustic serving dish that invites everyone to gather around and enjoy together.
• Gourmet Garnish Station: Set out small bowls with extra Parmesan, red pepper flakes, and fresh chopped parsley so guests can customize their plates with additional flavor and texture.
• Wine Pairing Delight: Complement the creamy chicken pasta with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc, which cuts through the richness and enhances the meal's overall taste profile.
• Healthy Side Companion: Serve a light mixed green salad with a zesty vinaigrette to balance the pasta's creaminess and add a fresh, nutritious element to the dinner experience.

Store Pasta for Quick Leftovers

• Keep leftovers in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking, storing them in the refrigerator for 35 days. Cool the pasta completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Wrap individual portions in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring minimal air exposure to prevent freezer burn. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Warm pasta gently in a skillet with a splash of milk or chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent dryness. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly. Avoid overheating to maintain sauce consistency.
• Chop broccoli and slice chicken in advance, storing separately in sealed containers. Prepare sauce components beforehand, reducing total cooking time. Refrigerate prepared ingredients for up to 2 days, keeping everything fresh and ready for quick assembly.

FAQs

• What are the key spices used in this chicken and broccoli pasta recipe?

The key spices include garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. These seasonings are used to flavor the chicken before cooking, adding depth and warmth to the dish.

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

Absolutely! While the recipe doesn’t specify a particular pasta, you can use various shapes like penne, fusilli, or rotini. The goal is to choose a pasta that can hold the creamy sauce well and complement the chicken and broccoli.

• Is this recipe considered a balanced meal?

Yes, this chicken and broccoli pasta provides a good balance of protein from the chicken, carbohydrates from the pasta, and nutrients from the broccoli. The addition of Parmesan cheese and milk in the sauce also contributes calcium and additional protein.

• How can I make this dish healthier?

To make the dish healthier, you can use whole wheat pasta, reduce the amount of butter, use low-fat milk, and increase the proportion of broccoli. You could also use grilled chicken instead of pan-fried to reduce added oil.

Creamy Chicken And Broccoli Pasta Recipe

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4.9 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Comforting Chicken and Broccoli Pasta blends creamy sauce with tender chicken and crisp vegetables. Quick weeknight dinner satisfies hunger with balanced flavors and simple ingredients you’ll enjoy preparing.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 12 oz (340 grams) penne, fettuccine, or your favorite pasta
• 1 lb (453 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp paprika
• 2 tbsps unsalted butter
• 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk (or half-and-half for creaminess)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• Chopped parsley (optional)
• Additional Parmesan cheese (optional)

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Bring a generously salted pot of water to a vigorous boil, then cook pasta according to package instructions, adding broccoli florets during the final 2-3 minutes of cooking.
2. Protein Seasoning: Thoroughly coat chicken pieces with a robust blend of garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper, ensuring complete flavor coverage.
3. Chicken Searing: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then carefully introduce seasoned chicken, cooking until achieving a beautiful golden-brown exterior and fully cooked interior.
4. Sauce Foundation: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic briefly, then sprinkle flour to create a smooth roux, stirring continuously for 1-2 minutes.
5. Sauce Development: Gradually whisk in milk, allowing the mixture to simmer and thicken into a velvety consistency, then incorporate Parmesan cheese, nutmeg, salt, and pepper to enhance the sauce’s depth of flavor.
6. Final Assembly: Drain the pasta and broccoli, then reunite with the cooked chicken in the creamy sauce, gently tossing to ensure complete and even coating.
7. Serving: Transfer the harmonious mixture to serving bowls, optionally embellishing with crushed red pepper flakes, fresh parsley, or an additional sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for a final flourish.

Notes

Optimize Chicken Seasoning: Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help spices adhere better and create a crispier golden-brown exterior during cooking.

Prevent Sauce Clumping: Whisk milk into the roux slowly and consistently to avoid lumpy sauce, maintaining a smooth and creamy texture throughout preparation.

Broccoli Texture Control: Blanch broccoli briefly to maintain its vibrant green color and crisp-tender texture, avoiding overcooking that leads to mushy, discolored florets.

Dietary Adaptation Strategies: Swap regular pasta with gluten-free alternatives, use plant-based milk and cheese for vegan version, or replace chicken with tofu or chickpeas for protein variety.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 66 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg