Creamy Broccoli Pasta with Chicken (Printable)
Tender chicken and pasta in a rich, creamy sauce with fresh broccoli. Easy, comforting, and ready in under 45 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 14 oz), cut into bite-sized pieces
→ Pasta
02 - 12 oz penne or fusilli pasta
→ Vegetables
03 - 10 oz broccoli florets
→ Dairy & Sauces
04 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 cup heavy cream
08 - 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
09 - 1/4 cup whole milk
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Optional Garnishes
11 - Fresh parsley, chopped
12 - Extra Parmesan cheese
# Directions:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Add the broccoli florets to the boiling pasta water for the last 3 minutes of cooking. Drain pasta and broccoli, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
02 - Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and sauté until golden and cooked through, about 6–7 minutes. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and milk, stirring to deglaze the pan.
04 - Lower the heat to medium. Add the Parmesan cheese and whisk until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened, about 2–3 minutes. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time.
05 - Return the chicken, pasta, and broccoli to the skillet. Toss everything together until evenly coated in the creamy sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
06 - Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The sauce has this magical silkiness that wraps around each bite of pasta without being heavy or overwhelming—its my secret weapon for impressing guests with minimal effort.
- You can prep most components ahead of time, making this my go-to for those nights when youre juggling dinner with helping kids with homework or catching up on household tasks.
02 -
- If your sauce ever starts to separate or look oily, immediately take it off the heat and whisk in a tablespoon of cold butter—it saved my dinner party when I accidentally let the cream boil.
- The reserved pasta water is absolutely crucial—I once skipped this step thinking it wouldnt matter, but that starchy liquid is what helps the sauce cling to every surface instead of sliding right off.
03 -
- Save a small cup of pasta water even if you think you wont need it—Ive been cooking this dish for years and still sometimes need that extra insurance policy to adjust the consistency last minute.
- Finish the pasta about 1 minute before the package directions state and let it complete its cooking in the sauce—this changed my pasta game forever as it allows the noodles to absorb all those incredible flavors.