Oh boy, do I have a treat for you today! When life gets hectic and you’re staring into the fridge wondering what magic you can whip up FAST, this Delicious Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Recipe Youll Love is my absolute go-to. It’s one of those dishes that just screams comfort and satisfaction, perfect for a chilly weeknight when you need something hearty but don’t have hours to spare. I remember one particularly crazy Tuesday when I had back-to-back meetings and my picky eaters were practically glued to the ceiling – this pasta saved my sanity! It’s become a staple in our home because it’s just so darn easy and tastes like you spent all afternoon on it. Trust me, if you love a good, creamy, flavor-packed pasta, this one’s a winner.

Why This Delicious Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Recipe is a Must-Try

Honestly, what’s not to love about this pasta? It’s the kinda meal that just hits every single spot. Here’s why it’s a regular in my rotation:

Super Speedy: Seriously, from start to finish, you’re looking at under an hour. Perfect for when you’re starving!
Effortlessly Easy: No fancy techniques here! Just a few simple steps and minimal cleanup. You’ve got this!
Flavor Explosion: That creamy sauce with tender chicken and fresh broccoli? It’s pure comfort in a bowl.
Crowd-Pleaser: Kinda picky eaters? Adults who want something hearty? This dish wins ‘em all over, every single time.

Gather Your Ingredients for Delicious Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta

Alright, let’s get down to business! The beauty of this pasta is that it uses pretty standard stuff you probably have hiding in your kitchen already. And hey, if you can’t find *exactly* what I’ve listed, hang tight, because we’ll chat about swaps in a bit! For this amazing Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta recipe, here’s what you’ll need:

Chicken: 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts is the way to go. Just chop ‘em up into bite-sized pieces so they cook quick and easy.
Olive Oil: About 1 tablespoon to get things started in the pan.
Onion: One medium onion, chopped. It adds a beautiful sweetness to the sauce.
Garlic: 2 cloves, all minced up. You can’t have creamy pasta without garlic, right?
Broccoli: 1 cup of fresh broccoli florets. Make sure they’re bite-sized too!
Heavy Cream: This is where the magic happens! You’ll need 1 1/2 cups for that super luscious sauce.
Parmesan Cheese: 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Use the good stuff if you can – it really makes a difference.
Seasoning: Just a little salt and pepper to taste – about 1/4 teaspoon each.
Pasta: 8 ounces of your favorite pasta shape. Penne, rotini, fettuccine… whatever tickles your fancy! Just cook it up according to the box, drain it, and hang onto it.

See? Nothing too crazy! Having everything prepped makes the actual cooking process a breeze. For more yummy chicken and broccoli ideas, check out these recipes. Now, let’s get cooking!

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Delicious Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta

Alright, let’s get this party started! Cooking this Delicious Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta is more like a fun cooking adventure than a chore, I promise. Just follow these easy steps and you’ll have a fantastic meal on the table before you know it. If you ever get stuck or want to see it in action, these amazing step-by-step photos can be a lifesaver, but honestly, it’s super straightforward!

Get Your Pasta Ready: First things first, get your pasta cooking! Pop it into some nicely salted boiling water and cook it up according to the package directions. You want it perfectly al dente, you know, with just a little bite to it. Once it’s done, drain it well and set it aside. Don’t rinse it – that starchy water is actually your friend when it comes to making the sauce stick!
Brown That Chicken: While your pasta is doing its thing, grab a big skillet. Pour in that tablespoon of olive oil and let it get nice and hot over medium-high heat. Toss in your bite-sized chicken pieces. We want them to get a lovely golden-brown color and be cooked all the way through. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Once it’s all browned and cooked, scoop the chicken out of the skillet and pop it onto a clean plate. We’ll bring it back later!
Sauté the Aromatics: Now, into that same skillet (don’t wipe it out – all those tasty browned bits are flavor gold!), throw in your chopped onion. Cook it down for about 5 minutes until it starts to soften up and looks a little translucent. Then, add your minced garlic and give it a quick stir for about a minute until you can really smell that amazing garlicky aroma. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
Tenderize the Broccoli: Toss in your fresh broccoli florets. Give everything a good stir and let the broccoli cook for about 3-4 minutes. You want it to be tender-crisp – still bright green and with a little bit of firmness, not mushy. If your skillet looks a little dry, you can add a tiny splash of water or broth here.
Make That Dreamy Sauce: Okay, this is where the creamy goodness comes in! Pour the heavy cream right into the skillet. Bring it to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Once it’s bubbling a bit, stir in that grated Parmesan cheese, the salt, and the black pepper. Keep stirring and let it simmer gently for about 5 minutes. You’ll notice the sauce starts to thicken up beautifully. It should coat the back of a spoon nicely. For more incredible sauce ideas, check out these creamy sauce recipes.
Bring It All Together: Now for the grand finale! Add your cooked chicken back into the skillet with the creamy sauce and broccoli. Then, toss in all that cooked pasta. Give everything a good stir to make sure every piece of pasta and chicken is coated in that glorious sauce. Let it all heat through for another minute or two. It’s almost too easy, right? This whole process is also showcased in these easy pasta recipes.

Serve It Up! And there you have it! Your Delicious Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta is ready to go. I like to serve it up hot right away. A little extra sprinkle of Parmesan on top never hurt anyone, and maybe some fresh parsley if you’re feeling fancy! This one-pan wonder is honestly such a lifesaver, kind of like these one-pan pasta dishes!

Tips for the Perfect Delicious Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta

You know, getting this Delicious Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta just right is all about a few little secrets I’ve picked up over the years. It’s not complicated, but these little touches really make a difference! For example, if you want your sauce to be extra silky smooth, try adding a pat of butter along with the heavy cream in step 5. It adds this beautiful richness that’s just heavenly. And don’t you *dare* overcook that broccoli! You want it bright green and still a little snappy. Overcooked broccoli turns into mush, and nobody wants that in their creamy pasta! Check out my recipe for creamy alfredo sauce for more inspiration on getting that sauce perfect, or try this homemade alfredo for a different kind of creamy perfection. Seriously, a few minutes here and there makes all the difference. Trust me on this one!

Ingredient Notes and Delicious Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Substitutions

Okay, let’s chat about ingredients for our Delicious Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta. So, heavy cream is the star for that luxurious sauce, but I know sometimes you might not have it on hand, or maybe you wanna lighten things up a smidge. You can totally swap it out for half-and-half, but you might want to whisk in a tablespoon of butter with it to get a bit of that richness back. Whole milk can work in a pinch, but you’ll need to thicken it a bit more, maybe with a cornstarch slurry. And for the pasta? Honestly, anything works! Penne, rotini, farfalle, even fettuccine like in this yummy recipe. Just pick your favorite shape that holds sauce well. Don’t be afraid to get creative with the veggies too – mushrooms or bell peppers would be delicious additions!

Serving Suggestions for Your Delicious Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta

Now that you’ve got this amazing Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta simmering away, what should you serve alongside it? Well, because this pasta is so rich and hearty, I usually like to balance it out with something fresh and light! A simple side salad is my absolute favorite – maybe something like a crisp cucumber and tomato salad or a classic Caesar. A crusty baguette for mopping up any leftover sauce is also a fantastic idea. Honestly, though, this pasta is so good, it totally shines on its own!

Storing and Reheating Your Delicious Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta

Got leftovers? Lucky you! This Delicious Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta actually reheats really well, which is always a win in my book. The best way to store it is in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll keep nicely for about 3-4 days. When you’re ready to dive back in, you can pop a serving in the microwave for a minute or two, giving it a good stir halfway through to make sure it heats evenly and that creamy sauce doesn’t get weird. If you’re feeling a little more hands-on, gently reheating it in a skillet over low heat with a tiny splash of milk or water works wonders to bring back that luscious texture. Just be patient and don’t crank the heat too high!

Frequently Asked Questions About This Delicious Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta

Got questions about this amazing Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta? I’ve got answers! It’s always good to have a few tricks up your sleeve. You know, like how you might want to make your sauce a little thicker or if you can’t have chicken. Let’s dive in!

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! This recipe is super adaptable. If you want to skip the chicken and make it vegetarian, just leave it out! You can bulk it up with extra veggies like mushrooms, bell peppers, or even some roasted cauliflower. Or, for a heartier vegetarian meal, try adding some chickpeas or white beans. It’ll still be delicious!

What is the best pasta shape for this dish?

Honestly, almost any pasta shape works great here! I usually go for something like penne, rotini, or fusilli because those little nooks and crannies are perfect for catching all that yummy creamy sauce. Fettuccine or linguine are also fantastic choices if you’re feeling a bit fancy. If you’re into baked pasta, you could even use elbow macaroni, kind of like in this goulash recipe, and bake it off for a bubbly cheesy top! The main thing is just to make sure it’s cooked al dente so it doesn’t get mushy.

How can I make the sauce thicker?

If your sauce isn’t quite as thick as you’d like it, don’t worry! It happens. The easiest way is to just let it simmer a little longer uncovered. The cream will reduce, making the sauce richer and thicker. If you’re in a real hurry, you can make a quick slurry by mixing a teaspoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water until smooth, then whisking it into the simmering sauce. Let it cook for another minute or two until thickened. You could also add a bit more Parmesan cheese; it thickens things up beautifully. For extra saucy ideas, check out these mac and cheese recipes for inspo!

Estimated Nutritional Information

Now, about the numbers! Keep in mind these are just estimates for our Delicious Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta, and they can totally change depending on the exact brands you use and how generous you are with that creamy sauce. But generally speaking, when you break this down into 4 servings, you’re looking at roughly:

Calories: Around 650 per serving.
Fat: About 35g (watch out for that rich cream!), with roughly 20g being saturated fat.
Protein: A good solid 40g, thanks to the chicken and pasta.
Carbohydrates: Around 45g.
Sodium: Typically close to 700mg.

It’s a satisfying meal but definitely on the richer side! Enjoy it!

Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta

Author: smaakvolle.nl
Total Time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A simple and delicious pasta dish with chicken and broccoli in a creamy sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup broccoli florets
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 ounces pasta, cooked according to package directions

Instructions

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Add onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
Add broccoli florets to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp.
Pour in heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Stir in Parmesan cheese, black pepper, and salt. Cook until sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
Return chicken to the skillet. Add cooked pasta and toss to combine.
Serve immediately.

Notes

For a richer sauce, add a tablespoon of butter with the heavy cream.
You can substitute other vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers.
Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 25 min
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 650
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 700mg
Fat: 35g
Saturated Fat: 20g
Unsaturated Fat: 15g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 40g
Cholesterol: 150mg

Keywords: creamy chicken pasta, chicken broccoli pasta, easy pasta recipe, weeknight dinner, comfort food