Description
A comforting and creamy pasta dish loaded with savory chicken, fresh broccoli, and a rich sauce, perfect for family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken (breast or thighs)
- 8 oz penne or rotini pasta
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 1 cup heavy cream or a blend of sour cream and cream cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Start by boiling a large pot of salted water and cooking the pasta until al dente. Drain and save some pasta water.
- Sauté the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Cook for 6-8 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and let rest.
- Add Broccoli and Garlic: In the same skillet, add more olive oil and broccoli. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, then add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in heavy cream and add Italian seasoning. Simmer gently to thicken.
- Combine Ingredients: Return cooked chicken to skillet along with drained pasta and cheese. Toss everything to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed.
- Finish and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot, garnished with extra cheese and fresh herbs.
Notes
This dish can be adapted by using different vegetables or proteins. For a lighter option, zucchini noodles can be used instead of pasta.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: chicken pasta, broccoli pasta, creamy pasta, family meal, comfort food