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Tossing chicken, broccoli and pasta together in one skillet makes weeknights so much easier. I whipped up this dish when I needed to combine what my family loves into something fast and tasty. In just half an hour, you'll watch pasta, chicken and fresh broccoli come together in a smooth, garlicky Parmesan mixture that's simply fantastic.
Kitchen Happiness
There's something almost magical when that creamy sauce coats every bit of pasta. Watching juicy chicken and crisp broccoli blend together with hardly any dishes to wash afterward makes this meal pure joy. My kids run to the table the minute they catch a whiff of this cooking.
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What You'll Need
- Chicken: 1 pound cut into small chunks let it warm up first for best results.
- Pasta: 8 ounces penne cooked until just right keep some cooking water for the sauce.
- Broccoli: 2 cups fresh pieces quickly cooked till bright green.
- Garlic: 4 cloves chopped small gives the sauce its soul.
- Cream: 1 cup turns everything wonderfully smooth.
- Parmesan: ¾ cup grated fresh not from a bag.
- Butter: 2 tablespoons unsalted adds that lovely richness.
- Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon helps get that nice color on chicken.
- Salt Pepper: Just enough to make everything taste amazing.
Easy Steps
- Brown the Chicken
- Heat your pan well add oil then chicken cook until pieces turn beautifully golden.
- Make the Sauce
- Drop in butter let it melt add garlic until it smells wonderful pour cream and saved pasta water.
- Add the Cheese
- Mix in Parmesan watch as it melts completely let it all thicken up nicely.
- Mix Everything
- Put chicken pasta broccoli back in stir until everything's nicely coated.
- Ready to Eat
- Dish it up hot sprinkle extra cheese fresh pepper on top total comfort food.
Goes Great With
This tastes awesome with a simple green salad or some crusty bread with garlic butter. Sometimes I add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat or throw in fresh herbs for color. Got leftover sauce? Just add a tiny bit of cream to wake it up.
Mix It Up
You can swap in spinach instead of broccoli or toss in some mushrooms. Adding sun dried tomatoes gives it a nice tang and using shrimp makes it feel fancy. The sauce works with almost anything you put in it makes every ingredient taste better.
Saving For Later
You can store what's left in the fridge for about three days. Just warm it slowly on the stove or in the microwave with a tiny splash of cream to bring it back to life. Though truthfully there's hardly ever any left at my house.
Healthy Too
I really love how this dish mixes comfort food with good nutrition. You get protein from the chicken nutrients from the broccoli and some calcium from the Parmesan making it pretty well-balanced. My children don't even notice they're eating something healthy they just know it tastes awesome.
Great For Busy Days
This dish helps me through hectic weeks. I often cook extra put it in containers for quick lunches or easy dinners later. The flavors actually get better after sitting in the fridge for a bit. Knowing dinner's already handled makes busy days so much easier.
Share The Love
This works great whether I'm feeding just my family or having friends over. Pour some white wine light a few candles and suddenly your regular weeknight feels special. Watching everyone go back for seconds always makes me smile.
Your Own Way
You can use half and half if you want something not so rich. It works great with gluten free pasta too and friends who can't have dairy love it made with coconut cream and nutritional yeast instead. Each version brings its own kind of deliciousness.
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Simple Cooking
Cooking everything in just one pan makes my kitchen time so much more relaxed. No need to handle multiple pots or watch different timers just straightforward cooking. Plus when everything cooks together the flavors mix and match to create something that tastes even better.
Final Thoughts
This one-pot wonder features juicy chicken, tender broccoli, and a creamy, cheesy sauce. Perfect for families who need fast, tasty meals without sacrificing flavor.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → Can I make parts ahead of time?
Boil the pasta and broccoli in advance, but make the sauce fresh. Reheat everything with a splash of milk or cream to bring it together.
- → What vegetables can I swap in?
Asparagus, peas, or diced bell peppers work great. Just cut them small enough to cook quickly with the pasta.
- → Will different pasta shapes work?
Absolutely. Try rotini, fusilli, or bow ties since they hold the sauce well.
- → How do I fix a thick sauce?
Reserve a little starchy pasta water before draining. Stir in some to thin the sauce as needed.
- → How do I make it less heavy?
Swap heavy cream for half-and-half. The sauce will be lighter but still delicious.