Description
Creamy chicken broccoli pasta brings comfort and flavor to weeknight dinner tables with its irresistible blend of tender chicken, crisp broccoli, and perfectly cooked noodles. Hearty ingredients and simple preparation make this dish a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein and Pasta:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8–12 ounces dried penne pasta
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Vegetables and Flavor Enhancers:
- 3 cups broccoli florets (about 1 pound)
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/3 cup toasted pine nuts (optional)
Cooking Fats and Liquids:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup milk
Instructions
- Slice chicken into uniform bite-sized morsels and coat with a blend of salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning for enhanced flavor profile.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet and sear chicken pieces for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown and thoroughly cooked, ensuring no pink remains.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté finely chopped onions and minced garlic until translucent and fragrant, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Sprinkle flour over the aromatics and stir continuously for 1-2 minutes to create a roux, which will help thicken the sauce.
- Gradually pour in broth and cream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Add selected seasonings and simmer for 5 minutes until sauce slightly thickens.
- Incorporate shredded cheese and fresh lemon juice into the sauce, stirring until cheese melts completely and creates a smooth consistency.
- Simultaneously, boil pasta in salted water until almost al dente, then introduce broccoli florets during the final 2-3 minutes of cooking.
- Drain pasta and broccoli, reserving one cup of starchy cooking liquid for potential sauce adjustment.
- Combine cooked chicken, pasta, broccoli, and creamy sauce in a large serving dish, gently folding ingredients together.
- Sprinkle toasted pine nuts on top and adjust sauce consistency using reserved pasta water if needed, ensuring every ingredient is evenly coated.
Notes
- Customize seasoning by experimenting with different herbs like thyme, rosemary, or oregano for a unique flavor profile.
- Toast pine nuts beforehand to enhance their nutty richness and prevent burning during final mixing.
- Use gluten-free pasta and replace flour with cornstarch for a celiac-friendly version without compromising creamy texture.
- Keep extra pasta water as a secret weapon to rescue dry sauce and create silky, perfectly coated pasta with minimal effort.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 495 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg