Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta

Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

🍳 Equipment

• Large skillet or saucepan

• Knife & cutting board

• Wooden spoon

• Pot for boiling pasta (optional if not one-pot)

🥘 Ingredients

• 2 cups pasta (penne, fettuccine, or your choice)

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 2 chicken breasts, diced

• Salt & pepper to taste

• 2 cups broccoli florets

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 cup heavy cream

• ½ cup chicken broth

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

• Fresh parsley for garnish

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Cook pasta

   • Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. Cook chicken

   • Heat olive oil in skillet over medium-high heat.

   • Season chicken with salt and pepper.

   • Cook 5–6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove from skillet.

3. Cook broccoli

   • In same skillet, sauté garlic 1 minute, then add broccoli.

   • Cook 3–4 minutes until bright green and slightly tender.

4. Make creamy sauce

   • Add heavy cream and chicken broth to skillet.

   • Bring to a gentle simmer, then stir in Parmesan until smooth.

5. Combine

   • Return chicken to skillet. Add pasta. Toss until everything is coated with sauce.

   • Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired.

6. Serve

   • Garnish with parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve hot.

🍽️ Tips for Best Creamy Chicken & Broccoli Pasta

✔ Don’t overcook broccoli — it should stay slightly crisp.
✔ Use freshly grated Parmesan for smooth sauce.
✔ Add a splash of pasta water if sauce is too thick.
✔ Optional: top with toasted breadcrumbs for crunch.