Hi, I am Nancy from Nancy Cooks, and this bowl brings calm after a long day. Tender chicken meets bright broccoli and twirls of pasta in a soft cream sauce. We cook it in one pan, so the sink stays clear and our time stays ours. Yes, we love that. This is comfort that feels fresh, not heavy. I start with garlic that warms in olive oil, then I add chicken and let it take on a little color. Broccoli goes in near the end, so it keeps a gentle bite and a clean green snap. Parmesan melts in to finish. The sauce hugs every noodle. One Pot Pasta Meals fits right here, and it plays well with Pasta Crockpot Meals, pasta and broccoli recipes, broccoli pasta recipes, pasta broccoli recipes, broccoli and pasta recipes, and a favorite broccoli pasta recipe. We serve, we breathe, we smile. Does it reheat well. Yes. Does it win over picky eaters. Most days, yes. Grab a fork. Dinner waits about as long as it takes to set the table.
Table of Contents
- 1) Key Takeaways
- 2) Easy Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Recipe
- 3) Ingredients for Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta
- 4) How to Make Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta
- 5) Tips for Making Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta
- 6) Making Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Ahead of Time
- 7) Storing Leftover Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta
- 8) Try these Main Course next
- 9) Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta
- 10) Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
I am Nancy from Nancy Cooks and I cook this on busy nights when we want good food with little fuss. One Pot Pasta Meals sits at the heart of this plan. One Pot Pasta Meals keeps cleanup calm. We eat well and we keep our evening free.
Chicken stays tender. Broccoli keeps a green snap. Pasta turns silky as the sauce clings. The pan does the work and the flavor feels bright. We serve and we breathe.
We speak plain. We use pantry goods. We aim for steady comfort. One Pot Pasta Meals guides the method and the mood. Pasta Crockpot Meals gets a nod for make ahead days. pasta and broccoli recipes and broccoli pasta recipes help you find more ideas on our site.
2) Easy Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Recipe
We keep this simple and friendly. I brown chicken in a wide pan and let garlic wake up in the warm oil. Broth and cream meet and turn smooth. Pasta and broccoli slide in and soak that goodness. The sauce coats every curl and each bite feels cozy yet light.
This fits a weeknight plan and also a slow Sunday. The method stays flexible. If you like more sauce add a splash of the pasta water. If you like more bite pull the pasta a minute early and let it finish in the pan.
We reach for One Pot Pasta Meals when time feels tight. The name tells the story. The sink stays clear and the table fills fast. pasta broccoli recipes or broccoli and pasta recipes will sit well next to it on your menu. A trusted broccoli pasta recipe closes the loop.
3) Ingredients for Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta
Chicken breast I cut the pieces small so they cook fast and stay juicy. Thighs work too when you want a richer feel.
Short pasta Penne or fusilli hold the sauce well and keep a nice bite. Pick a shape with good curves.
Broccoli florets Small bites cook quick and keep a bright snap. Stems work when peeled thin and sliced small.
Garlic cloves I mince them fine so they melt into the sauce and give a warm base note.
Olive oil A gentle sear gives flavor and a soft gloss without weight.
Chicken broth This loosens the browned bits and builds a savory core that carries the dish.
Heavy cream A small pour rounds the sauce and helps it cling to the pasta.
Parmesan cheese Freshly grated cheese melts clean and adds depth. A sprinkle on top brings a final lift.
Kosher salt and black pepper Season in layers so the flavor lands in every bite.
Red pepper flakes A pinch adds a quiet warmth. Leave it out if your table leans mild.
Lemon zest A small touch brightens the finish and keeps the sauce lively.
Fresh parsley A quick chop at the end adds color and a clean herbal note.
4) How to Make Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta
Step one Bring a deep pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until just shy of tender. In the last minutes drop in the broccoli. Scoop a cup of the water and drain the rest.
Step two Set a wide pan over medium heat. Warm olive oil. Add chicken with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until the edges turn light gold and the centers stay moist.
Step three Move the chicken to one side. Add garlic to the clear space. Stir until it smells nutty. Sprinkle oregano if you like. Add a tiny pinch of red pepper flakes.
Step four Pour in broth and cream. Stir and scrape the bottom so the browned bits join the sauce. Let it bubble soft for a short time until it thickens a touch.
Step five Add drained pasta and broccoli. Fold in parmesan. Splash in some saved water until the sauce turns glossy and coats the pasta.
Step six Taste. Add salt and pepper as needed. Grate lemon zest over the top for a bright finish. Rest one minute and serve warm.
5) Tips for Making Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta
Salt the water so the pasta starts seasoned. Keep the broccoli pieces small so they cook fast and stay crisp. Pull the pasta early and let it finish in the sauce for better texture.
Reserve pasta water. The starch helps the sauce cling without extra cream. Add it little by little until the sauce looks shiny and smooth.
Grate the cheese fresh. Pre grated cheese can clump and dull the taste. Fresh shreds melt clean and boost flavor. For meal planning, look to One Pot Pasta Meals for a steady method.
6) Making Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Ahead of Time
This dish fits a plan ahead week. Cook the pasta one minute short and chill it flat on a tray. Store chicken and sauce in a box and keep pasta and broccoli in a second box.
When dinner draws near warm the sauce with a splash of broth. Add pasta and broccoli and stir until hot and glossy. The texture returns and the flavor wakes up.
For busy days I batch cook with ideas from Pasta Crockpot Meals. That set of habits supports work nights and helps us avoid takeout. One Pot Pasta Meals stays our north star for speed and ease.
7) Storing Leftover Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta
Pack leftovers in a tight container. Chill within two hours. They keep well for two days. The sauce may set a bit in the fridge.
To reheat set a pan over low heat. Add a spoon of water and stir until the sauce loosens and turns smooth. The pasta softens but should not turn mushy when heated with care.
For lunch boxes I add a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. The lift feels nice at noon. A quick grate of parmesan helps too. pasta and broccoli recipes on Nancy Cooks will give you more friendly ideas.
8) Try these Main Course next
9) Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta
Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta for One Pot Pasta Meals
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 300 g short pasta such as penne or fusilli
- 1 medium head broccoli cut into small florets
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 500 g boneless skinless chicken breast cut in small cubes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt more to taste
- half teaspoon black pepper
- pinch red pepper flakes optional
- lemon zest from half a lemon optional
- fresh parsley chopped for serving optional
Instructions
- Bring a large pot with salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until just shy of al dente. In the last three minutes add the broccoli florets. Reserve one cup of the cooking water and drain.
- Heat olive oil in a wide deep pan over medium heat. Add the chicken and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until the pieces turn light golden on the outside and stay juicy inside. Move the chicken to one side of the pan.
- Add garlic to the empty side. Stir for one minute until it smells nutty. Sprinkle in oregano and a small pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Pour in chicken broth and cream. Stir to lift the browned bits. Let the sauce bubble gently for two to three minutes until it thickens a little.
- Fold in the drained pasta and broccoli. Add parmesan and toss. Splash in some reserved pasta water until the sauce turns glossy and coats the pasta.
- Taste and season with more salt and pepper. Add lemon zest if you like a bright finish. Pull from the heat. Rest for one minute so the sauce settles and clings.
- Serve warm. Top with parsley and extra parmesan. Share with someone who will steal a bite from your plate.
10) Nutrition
We share a rough guide. One bowl brings about five hundred eighty five calories with a steady balance of protein carbs and fat. Sodium sits near six hundred forty milligrams. Fiber lands near five grams. Protein reaches about thirty six grams. If you need precise numbers use a calculator with the exact brands you cook with. This keeps you informed and still lets you enjoy dinner without fuss.
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