Description
This Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta is a comforting one-pot wonder featuring tender chicken, crisp broccoli, and a velvety cream sauce. Perfectly balanced with savory Parmesan and bright lemon zest, it’s ready in just 30 minutes!
Ingredients
Scale
For the pasta and vegetables:
- 12 oz (340g) pasta (fettuccine, penne, or rotini)
- 2 medium chicken breasts (approximately 1 lb/450g), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 cups fresh broccoli florets (about 1 medium head)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
For the creamy sauce:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional, but adds brightness)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients: Have everything measured, chopped, and ready to go. Season chicken generously with salt and pepper.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente. In the last 2–3 minutes, add broccoli florets. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken pieces for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and cover with foil.
- Create the Base for Your Sauce: In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil and butter. Once melted, add garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 30–45 seconds until fragrant.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Sprinkle flour over the garlic mixture and whisk for 1 minute. Gradually pour in chicken broth, whisking constantly. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until thickened.
- Finish the Sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in heavy cream. Simmer gently for 2–3 minutes. Add Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and lemon zest. Stir until smooth.
- Bring It All Together: Return chicken to the skillet and stir to coat. Add pasta and broccoli, tossing gently. Add reserved pasta water if needed to adjust consistency.
- Finish and Serve: Taste and adjust seasonings. Garnish with parsley and additional Parmesan. Serve immediately in warmed bowls.
Notes
Substitutions: Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free option. Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream for a lighter version. Add spinach or mushrooms for extra veggies.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: creamy chicken pasta, broccoli pasta recipe, quick dinner idea, easy pasta dish