Description
This Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta is a comforting and hearty meal that combines tender, golden-brown chicken, crisp broccoli, and a rich, creamy Parmesan sauce. It’s an ideal dinner option for busy weeknights and a great way to enjoy a balanced, flavorful dish in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups pasta (penne or rotini)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound chicken breast, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced chicken and cook until golden brown and fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add broccoli florets and cook for about 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp.
- Reduce the heat to low and pour in the heavy cream. Stir in Parmesan cheese, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Cook until the sauce is heated through and the cheese is melted.
- Add the cooked chicken and pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat everything evenly with the sauce. Heat for an additional 2-3 minutes until everything is warmed through.
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a lower-fat cream. You can also add red pepper flakes for a bit of heat, or switch up the vegetables by adding spinach or peas.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes