Description
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta with Broccoli is a comforting and delicious one-pot meal featuring tender chicken breasts, crisp broccoli florets, and perfectly cooked pasta, all enveloped in a rich and creamy garlic Parmesan sauce. This easy-to-make dish comes together in under 30 minutes, making it an ideal family-friendly dinner that combines wholesome ingredients with indulgent flavor and minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Pasta & Vegetables
- 8 oz penne or rotini pasta
- 2 cups broccoli florets
Sauce Ingredients
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
Cooking Fats & Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper. Heat butter and olive oil together in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken breasts for 5 to 7 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to keep warm.
- Sauté Garlic and Broccoli: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the broccoli florets and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until they turn bright green and begin to soften but remain crisp.
- Make the Cream Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then whisk in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth and silky.
- Cook the Pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving some pasta water in case you need to adjust the sauce consistency.
- Combine Everything: Slice the cooked chicken into thin pieces and return it to the skillet along with the drained pasta. Toss gently to coat the pasta and chicken evenly with the creamy garlic Parmesan sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
- Final Touches: Taste and season with additional salt and pepper as needed. Optionally, sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese on top. Serve the dish hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired, and enjoy the comforting flavors.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the richest flavor and creamiest sauce.
- Do not overcook the broccoli to maintain a pleasant crunch and texture contrast.
- Reserve pasta water to thin out the sauce if it thickens too much, preserving the flavor without diluting it.
- Slice the chicken thinly to help it absorb the sauce better and blend well with the pasta.
- Cook garlic gently to avoid burning and ensure the sauce remains fresh and vibrant.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
Keywords: Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta, Chicken Pasta with Broccoli, One-Pot Chicken Pasta, Creamy Chicken Dinner, Family-Friendly Pasta Recipe, Quick Chicken Pasta
