Description
A comforting and creamy pasta dish loaded with tender chicken and vibrant broccoli.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb Boneless chicken breast or thighs
- 8 oz Pasta (penne, rotini, or spaghetti)
- 2 cups Fresh broccoli florets
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 1 cup Sharp cheddar or mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Italian herbs (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil water in a large pot and cook pasta until al dente. Reserve a cup of pasta water and drain the rest.
- Sauté the Chicken: In a skillet, melt 1 tbsp butter over medium heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook until golden and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté the Broccoli and Garlic: In the same skillet, melt another tbsp of butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Then add broccoli and a splash of water; cover to steam for a couple of minutes until vibrant but crisp.
- Create the Sauce: Sprinkle flour over broccoli and stir for a minute, then pour in cream. Stir until thickened, adding reserved pasta water as needed.
- Combine: Fold in cooked chicken and pasta, mixing until well-coated. Grate cheese over the top and let it melt.
- Serve: Portion pasta into bowls, garnishing with fresh herbs and freshly cracked pepper if desired.
Notes
Feel free to substitute chicken with shrimp or chickpeas for a vegetarian version. Fresh broccoli yields the best flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: chicken pasta, broccoli, comfort food, creamy pasta, family recipe