why make this recipe
This dish is quick, creamy, and full of flavor. It mixes tender chicken, bright broccoli, and pasta in a garlic Parmesan sauce. It feeds a family or makes good leftovers. For a similar easy family meal, try creamy rotisserie chicken broccoli pasta for ideas.
introduction
Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta with Garlic Parmesan Sauce is simple and comforting. You cook pasta and broccoli, brown the chicken, make a smooth garlic cream sauce, then mix everything. The result is a warm, rich plate that most people like. This recipe uses common ingredients and little fuss.
how to make Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta with Garlic Parmesan Sauce
- Cook Pasta: Bring salted water to a boil. Add rotini and cook until al dente (about 8–10 mins). Add broccoli florets in the last 3 minutes of cooking. Drain and set aside.
- Cook Chicken: While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season diced chicken with salt and pepper, then sauté for 5–6 minutes until golden and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
- Make Sauce: In the same pan, melt butter and sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds. Pour in cream, stir, and simmer gently for 3–4 minutes.
- Add Cheese: Stir in Parmesan until melted and sauce is smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and optional nutmeg or chili flakes.
- Combine: Add cooked pasta, broccoli, and chicken back into the sauce. Toss everything together and cook for 1–2 more minutes to combine.
- Serve: Serve warm, optionally topped with extra Parmesan or fresh parsley.
For a one-pan method, see this idea for a one-pot creamy garlic pasta that saves time and cleanup.
Ingredients :
- 300g (10 oz) rotini or fusilli pasta
- Salt for boiling water
- 2 chicken breasts, diced
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: pinch of nutmeg or chili flakes
- Salt & black pepper to taste
Directions :
- Cook Pasta: Bring salted water to a boil. Add rotini and cook until al dente (about 8–10 mins). Add broccoli florets in the last 3 minutes of cooking. Drain and set aside.
- Cook Chicken: While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season diced chicken with salt and pepper, then sauté for 5–6 minutes until golden and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
- Make Sauce: In the same pan, melt butter and sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds. Pour in cream, stir, and simmer gently for 3–4 minutes.
- Add Cheese: Stir in Parmesan until melted and sauce is smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and optional nutmeg or chili flakes.
- Combine: Add cooked pasta, broccoli, and chicken back into the sauce. Toss everything together and cook for 1–2 more minutes to combine.
- Serve: Serve warm, optionally topped with extra Parmesan or fresh parsley.
how to serve Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta with Garlic Parmesan Sauce
Serve this pasta hot. Add extra grated Parmesan or a sprinkle of black pepper. Fresh parsley or chives on top add color. A simple side salad or garlic bread pairs well. Keep plates warm so the sauce stays creamy.
how to store Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta with Garlic Parmesan Sauce
Cool the pasta to room temperature within two hours. Put it in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce. You can also freeze for up to 2 months; thaw in the fridge before reheating.
tips to make Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta with Garlic Parmesan Sauce
- Cook pasta one minute less if you will reheat later.
- Use fresh Parmesan and grate it yourself for the best melt and taste.
- Do not boil the cream hard; simmer gently so it does not separate.
- If sauce gets too thick, add a little pasta water or milk to thin it.
- For a quick change, use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking raw chicken; see rotisserie chicken idea.
variation (if any)
- Add mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes for more flavor.
- Swap chicken for cooked shrimp or turkey.
- Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce.
- Add spinach or peas with the broccoli for extra color and vitamins.
FAQs
Q: Can I use other pasta shapes?
A: Yes. Fusilli, penne, or farfalle all work well.
Q: Can I make this vegetarian?
A: Yes. Skip the chicken and add mushrooms, chickpeas, or extra veggies.
Q: Can I use frozen broccoli?
A: Yes. Add frozen broccoli in the last 3 minutes of pasta cooking as the recipe says.
Q: How do I stop the sauce from splitting?
A: Heat cream slowly and do not boil it hard. Add cheese off the heat or on low so it melts smoothly.
Q: Can I make this ahead?
A: You can cook and store it, but the sauce may thicken. Reheat with a little milk or cream.
Conclusion
For another take on garlic Parmesan chicken pasta, try this recipe: Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta · Easy Family Recipes.
Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta with Garlic Parmesan Sauce
Ingredients
Method
- Bring salted water to a boil. Add rotini and cook until al dente (about 8–10 mins). Add broccoli florets in the last 3 minutes of cooking. Drain and set aside.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season diced chicken with salt and pepper, then sauté for 5–6 minutes until golden and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, melt butter and sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds. Pour in cream, stir, and simmer gently for 3–4 minutes.
- Stir in Parmesan until melted and sauce is smooth. Season with additional salt, pepper, and optional nutmeg or chili flakes.
- Add cooked pasta, broccoli, and chicken back into the sauce. Toss everything together and cook for 1–2 more minutes to combine.
- Serve warm, optionally topped with extra Parmesan or fresh parsley.