🍝 Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta

✨ Description

A cozy, creamy, ultra-comforting pasta dish made with tender chicken, fresh broccoli, garlic, and a luxurious cream sauce. It comes together in under 30 minutes and makes the perfect weeknight dinner that the whole family will love.

📝 Ingredients

• 12 oz rigatoni or pasta of choice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 chicken breasts, cubed
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup chicken broth
• ½ cup grated Parmesan
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
• Salt & black pepper, to taste
• 1 tbsp butter (optional for richness)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Cook the pasta

• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
• Add pasta and cook until al dente.
• Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.

2. Cook the chicken

• In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high.
• Add chicken, season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and sauté until golden and fully cooked (6–7 minutes).
• Remove chicken from pan and set aside.

3. Cook the broccoli

• In the same skillet, add broccoli and a splash of water.
• Cover and steam for 3–4 minutes, until bright green and tender.
• Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.

4. Make the creamy sauce

• Add heavy cream + chicken broth.
• Stir in Parmesan and simmer until the sauce thickens (3–4 minutes).
• Add butter if you want extra richness.
• Add chili flakes if using.

5. Combine

• Return chicken to the pan.
• Add cooked pasta and toss well.
• Add a splash of pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.

6. Serve

• Top with extra Parmesan and black pepper.
• Serve warm and enjoy!

🍽 Servings

4 generous servings

📊 Nutritional Info (per serving, approx.)

• Calories: 520 kcal
• Protein: 34 g
• Carbs: 54 g
• Fat: 20 g
• Fiber: 3 g

(Values vary by pasta type & cream used)

💚 Health Benefits

• High protein from chicken
• Vitamin-rich broccoli (C, K, fiber)
• Balanced meal with carbs + protein + veggies
• Calcium from Parmesan supports bone health
• Garlic boosts immunity & flavor

📝 Notes

• You can substitute half & half instead of heavy cream.
• Rigatoni holds sauce best, but penne, farfalle, or fusilli all work well.
• Add mushrooms, spinach, or peas for extra veggies.

💡 Tips

• Don’t overcook the broccoli—bright green tastes best.
• Reserve pasta water! It makes the sauce silky.
• For a lighter version: replace cream with milk + 1 tbsp flour.
• For extra flavor: add 1 tsp Dijon mustard to the sauce.

❓ Q/A

Q: Can I make this with leftover chicken?

Yes! Add cooked chicken at the end and heat through—no need to sauté first.

Q: Can this be made ahead?

Yes, but the sauce thickens in the fridge. Add a splash of milk/water when reheating.

Q: Can I make it gluten-free?

Use gluten-free pasta and ensure the broth is labeled gluten-free.

Q: Can I replace the cream?

Yes—use evaporated milk, coconut cream, or milk + flour mixture.