Creamy Garlic Chicken Broccoli Pasta
A cozy and easy dinner recipe featuring tender chicken, crisp broccoli, and pasta tossed in a silky garlic cream sauce. Perfect for quick weeknight meals that feel indulgent yet wholesome.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 8 ounces pasta (penne or fusilli recommended)
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets, trimmed and washed
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh herbs (parsley or basil), optional for garnish
- Lemon juice, optional for brightening
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. In the last 3 minutes, add 2 cups of broccoli florets to blanch. Drain pasta and broccoli together, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water. Set aside.
- While pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then cook for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium and add 1 tablespoon butter to the skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and golden, being careful not to burn.
- Pour in 1 cup heavy cream and 1/2 cup chicken broth, stirring to combine. Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Stir in 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season sauce with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Return cooked chicken, pasta, and broccoli to the skillet. Toss gently to coat everything evenly with the sauce. Add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if the sauce is too thick.
- Remove from heat and add a squeeze of lemon juice and fresh chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan.
Notes
Watch garlic carefully when sautéing to avoid burning. Save pasta water to loosen sauce if needed. Blanch broccoli at the end of pasta cooking to keep it crisp and vibrant. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 550
- Fat: 22
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Protein: 35
Keywords: creamy garlic chicken pasta, broccoli pasta, easy dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food, creamy pasta, chicken recipe