Description

This Delicious Chicken and Broccoli Pasta offers a perfect blend of tender chicken, vibrant broccoli, and al dente pasta tossed in a flavorful garlic-infused olive oil sauce with a hint of heat from red pepper flakes. Quick to prepare and packed with protein and veggies, this dish suits a comforting weeknight dinner or a satisfying meal meal-prep option.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

8 ounces penne or fusilli pasta

Protein

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts

Vegetables

2 cups broccoli florets
2 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids & Oils

3 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
1 cup chicken broth

Cheese & Seasoning

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt, to taste
Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the pasta. Cook it until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta and set it aside for later.
Heat olive oil: In a large skillet, warm the olive oil over medium heat until it shimmers gently, indicating it’s ready for the chicken.
Cook the chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides. Place them in the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and has a golden crust.
Rest and slice chicken: Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes to retain juices. Then slice it into bite-sized pieces.
Sauté garlic and red pepper flakes: Using the same skillet, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant and golden, taking care not to burn the garlic.
Steam the broccoli: Add the broccoli florets to the skillet and pour in the chicken broth. Cover the skillet and steam the broccoli for 3-4 minutes until it turns vibrant green and is tender-crisp.
Combine and toss: Return the sliced chicken to the skillet along with the drained pasta and grated Parmesan cheese. Gently toss all the ingredients together to fully coat and combine the flavors.
Season and serve: Taste the dish and adjust with additional salt and freshly cracked pepper as needed. Serve the pasta hot for best flavor and texture.

Notes

For a lighter version, substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth.
Use gluten-free pasta if you need a gluten-free meal.
Adjust the red pepper flakes to control the level of spiciness or omit for a milder dish.
Resting the chicken before slicing helps keep it juicy.
To enhance richness, you can add a splash of cream or a dollop of butter when tossing the pasta.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: Chicken pasta recipe, broccoli pasta, quick chicken dinner, garlic pasta, healthy pasta dish