Description
Creamy chicken and broccoli pasta delivers comfort on a plate with classic Italian-inspired flavors. Hearty ingredients combine for a satisfying meal that nourishes and delights you.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (453 g) boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz (340 g) penne, fettuccine, or favorite pasta
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk (or half-and-half for creaminess)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Chopped parsley (optional)
- Additional Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water and cook pasta according to package instructions. During the final minute, add broccoli florets, then drain and set aside.
- Chicken Searing: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season chicken with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook chicken for 6-8 minutes until golden brown, then transfer to a separate plate.
- Sauce Creation: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic briefly. Dust with flour to create a roux, then gradually whisk in milk until the sauce thickens. Incorporate Parmesan cheese, nutmeg, salt, and pepper, stirring until smooth.
- Combining Elements: Merge cooked pasta, broccoli, and chicken into the creamy sauce. Gently toss to ensure every component is evenly coated with the luxurious sauce.
- Serving: Plate the dish in bowls, optionally garnishing with red pepper flakes, fresh parsley, or an additional sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for enhanced flavor complexity.
Notes
- Optimize Pasta Texture: Ensure al dente perfection by monitoring pasta cooking time closely, removing just before fully soft to maintain a slight bite and prevent mushiness.
- Chicken Searing Technique: Pat chicken dry before seasoning to achieve a crispy, golden-brown exterior that locks in moisture and enhances overall flavor profile.
- Sauce Smoothness Strategy: Whisk milk gradually and consistently to prevent lumpy sauce, creating a silky-smooth consistency that clings perfectly to pasta and chicken.
- Dietary Adaptation Hack: Swap regular milk with almond or oat milk for lactose-free version, use gluten-free flour for roux, and choose whole wheat pasta to accommodate different dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg