Chicken Broccoli Pasta: A Simple and Delicious Recipe
This Chicken Broccoli Pasta is a quick and delicious one-pan meal that combines tender chicken, crisp broccoli, and a creamy tomato-based sauce tossed with your favorite pasta. Packed with flavor and easy to make, it’s perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner that the whole family will love.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Vegetables and Sauce
- 1 head broccoli, cut into florets
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Pasta and Finishing Touches
- 1 pound pasta (penne, rotini, or your favorite shape)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: In a medium bowl, toss the cubed chicken with olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until each piece is evenly coated.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes. Avoid overcrowding the pan and cook in batches if needed. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Broccoli: In the same skillet, add the broccoli florets and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly tender but still crisp.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for 5 to 7 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Finish the Sauce: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes if using. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as desired.
- Cook the Pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water.
- Combine Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the broccoli and sauce. Stir gently to combine everything. If the sauce feels too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
- Add the Chicken: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and mix well, making sure the chicken heats through evenly.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the butter until melted and incorporated. Serve the dish immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- To save time, you can use pre-cut broccoli florets and pre-cooked rotisserie chicken if preferred.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control the level of heat or omit if you prefer a milder dish.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a plant-based cream alternative.
- Reserve pasta water contains starch which helps thicken and bind the sauce to the pasta better.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and smoother melting in the sauce.
Keywords: Chicken broccoli pasta, creamy chicken pasta, easy dinner, one-pan pasta, quick weeknight meal
