Description
A delightful dish that combines tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and creamy sauce over pasta, perfect for weeknight dinners and special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces pasta (penne or fusilli)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (garnish with extra if desired)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Optional: red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of pasta and cook according to the package instructions until it reaches al dente texture. After cooking, drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Prepare the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces to the skillet. Season them with salt and pepper. Cook for about 5-7 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
- Add Garlic: Once the chicken is cooked, add 2 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Sauté for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant but be careful not to let it burn.
- Cook the Broccoli: Add 2 cups of broccoli florets to the skillet. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the broccoli is bright green, tender, yet still crisp.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in 1 cup of heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir in 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Keep stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated in the creamy sauce. If needed, you can adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. If you like a little heat, sprinkle in optional red pepper flakes.
- Serve: Serve the Chicken and Broccoli Pasta immediately. You can garnish with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
Consider serving with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg