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How to Make Chicken and Broccoli Pasta

How to Make Chicken and Broccoli Pasta

Chicken and Broccoli Pasta is a comforting, flavorful dish that combines tender chicken, vibrant broccoli, and pasta in a delicious sauce. It’s a quick and nutritious meal, perfect for weeknights or even meal prepping for the week ahead. The rich sauce—often made with garlic, cream, and Parmesan—adds a creamy, savory base that complements the freshness of the broccoli and the protein-packed chicken. This dish is hearty, satisfying, and can be easily customized to suit different tastes.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 592
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz penne pasta
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 3 cups broccoli florets
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook until al dente. During the last 3 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets to the pasta water. Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Drain the pasta and broccoli.
  2. Meanwhile, season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring the sauce to a simmer, stirring occasionally, and cook until slightly thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Stir the Parmesan cheese into the cream sauce until melted. Season with red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to taste.
  5. Add the cooked penne, broccoli, and chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together until well coated, adding some reserved pasta water a little at a time if needed to reach your desired sauce consistency. Drizzle with lemon juice and toss again.
  6. Serve the chicken and broccoli pasta hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes if desired. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Use high-quality Parmesan cheese and grate it fresh for the best flavor.
  • Don't overcook the chicken. It should be just cooked through and still juicy.
  • Reserve some pasta water before draining. You can add a splash to loosen the sauce if needed.
  • For extra lemon flavor, add some lemon zest to the sauce along with the lemon juice.