Description
Delicious Chicken and Broccoli Pasta is a creamy, comforting meal perfect for quick weeknight dinners. Tender chicken breasts are cooked golden, then combined with bright steamed broccoli and penne pasta in a garlic-infused sauce enriched with chicken broth and Parmesan cheese. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish brings vibrant flavors and balanced nutrition to your table, making it a memorable family favorite that satisfies both taste buds and hunger.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces penne or fusilli pasta
Protein
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
Vegetables
- 2 cups broccoli florets
Seasonings and Sauces
- 3 tablespoons olive oil (preferably extra virgin)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth as a lighter option)
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and add 8 ounces of penne or fusilli pasta. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Heat the oil and cook chicken: In a large skillet, warm 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat until shimmering. Season 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Place chicken in the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side until cooked through and golden brown.
- Rest and slice chicken: Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes to lock in juices. Then slice into bite-sized pieces.
- Sauté garlic and red pepper flakes: In the same skillet, add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant and golden.
- Steam broccoli: Add 2 cups of broccoli florets to the skillet and pour in 1 cup of chicken broth. Cover the skillet and let steam for 3-4 minutes until broccoli is vibrant green and tender.
- Combine ingredients: Return the sliced chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese. Gently toss everything together to coat evenly in the creamy sauce.
- Final seasoning and serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and freshly cracked pepper if needed. Serve the dish hot and enjoy the comforting flavors.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, reserve some pasta cooking water and stir it in before serving to add silkiness to the sauce.
- Allowing the chicken to rest after cooking ensures juicy, tender bites.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control the level of spice according to preference.
- Freshly minced garlic intensifies aroma and flavor compared to pre-minced garlic.
- This recipe can be easily adapted for vegetarian and gluten-free diets with suitable substitutions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Chicken pasta, broccoli pasta, creamy chicken pasta, weeknight dinner, garlic pasta, easy chicken dinner, healthy pasta recipe
