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Creamy Chicken & Broccoli Pasta Delight

Creamy Chicken & Broccoli Pasta Delight
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Creamy Chicken & Broccoli Pasta Delight is a comforting and easy-to-make dish combining tender chicken, vibrant broccoli, and perfectly cooked pasta in a luscious creamy sauce. It’s a balanced, family-friendly meal ideal for weeknights or entertaining guests, offering a rich, flavorful experience with wholesome nutrition.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 2 large chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

Vegetables

  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 2–3 garlic cloves, minced

Pasta

  • 12 oz penne or rotini pasta (or gluten-free pasta as preferred)

Sauces & Dairy

  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Oils & Seasonings

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: crushed red pepper flakes, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare Ingredients: Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces, cut broccoli into small florets, and mince the garlic cloves finely. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta.
  2. Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving some pasta water, and set aside.
  3. Sauté Chicken and Broccoli: Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside. In the same skillet, add broccoli florets and sauté for a few minutes until bright green and just tender.
  4. Make the Creamy Sauce: Lower the heat, add minced garlic to the skillet with broccoli, cooking until fragrant. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Combine and Finish: Return chicken to the skillet with the cooked pasta. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time if the sauce needs loosening. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Don’t overcook pasta: Aim for al dente texture to prevent mushiness when combined with sauce.
  • Use fresh broccoli: It retains crunch better than frozen.
  • Grate Parmesan cheese fresh for better melting and sauce consistency.
  • Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce thickness as needed.
  • Cook chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding and ensure nice browning.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy chicken pasta, broccoli pasta, comfort food, easy dinner, weeknight meal, creamy chicken broccoli pasta

Find it online: https://marygourmet.com/creamy-chicken-broccoli-pasta-delight/