Creamy Chicken & Broccoli Pasta Recipe: Ready in a Flash

Weeknight dinners demand something quick, delicious, and satisfying like this chicken broccoli pasta recipe that combines hearty protein with vibrant greens.

Tender chicken pieces mingle with crisp broccoli florets, creating a perfect balance of flavors and textures.

The creamy sauce envelops each pasta strand, making every bite a comforting experience.

Protein-packed and nutritious, this meal comes together in under 30 minutes for busy home cooks.

Garlic and parmesan cheese add depth and richness to the dish, turning a simple meal into something extraordinary.

Perfectly seasoned and incredibly easy to prepare, this recipe will become a staple in your weekly rotation.

Dive into a plate of this delightful pasta and savor every delicious forkful.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 475 kcal

Servings: 5

Chicken Broccoli Pasta Ingredient Checklist

• Rigatoni: Hearty pasta shape that catches sauce beautifully, perfect for holding creamy textures and chunky ingredients.

• Chicken Breast: Lean protein that absorbs flavors wonderfully, choose fresh, organic cuts for best taste.
• Broccoli Florets: Nutrient-packed green vegetable that adds crunch and vibrant color to the dish.

• Olive Oil, Butter: Rich cooking fats that create deep, golden caramelization and add luxurious smoothness.
• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic base that builds complex, savory undertones in the sauce.
• White Wine: Adds sophisticated depth and helps deglaze the pan, releasing delicious caramelized bits.
• Thyme: Earthy herb that brings subtle woodsy notes and traditional Mediterranean flair.
• Red Chili Flakes: Introduces gentle heat and exciting spicy kick to balance creamy elements.

• Half and Half, Parmesan: Silky cream base that creates luscious, velvety sauce with sharp, salty cheese undertones.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that elevate and balance all ingredient flavors.

Chicken Broccoli Pasta Tools You’ll Need

• Large pot: Perfect for boiling pasta and steaming broccoli.
• Large skillet: Essential for cooking chicken and preparing the creamy sauce.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping onions and garlic.
• Chef's knife: Sharp tool for precise ingredient preparation.
• Colander: Use to drain pasta and broccoli after cooking.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients in the skillet.
• Measuring cups: Helpful for portioning pasta water and half and half.
• Grater: Needed for grating fresh Parmesan cheese.

Cooking Chicken Broccoli Pasta

• Pasta Water Preparation

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta until tender, adding broccoli during the final moments. Save some cooking water for later sauce magic.

• Chicken Creation

Sizzle chicken in a skillet with olive oil and butter. Season generously, cooking until golden and juicy. Set aside while preparing other elements.

• Flavor Foundation

Sauté onions until translucent, then add garlic. These aromatics will create a delicious base for the entire dish, releasing incredible fragrance and depth.

• Sauce Development

Splash white wine into the skillet, scraping up delicious browned bits. Introduce thyme and chili flakes for extra excitement. Pour in cream and let everything bubble and blend together.

• Final Assembly

Combine pasta, broccoli, and chicken in the creamy sauce. Gently mix so every ingredient gets coated with the rich, velvety mixture. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese for a final touch of decadence.

Serve hot, garnished with extra cheese and fresh herbs. This meal delivers comfort and joy in every single bite.

Tips to Spice Up Chicken Broccoli Pasta

• Cooking Tips & Variations
• Pasta Power Swap: Experiment with different pasta shapes like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli to add fun texture and visual interest to your dish.
• Protein Playground: Replace chicken with shrimp, tofu, or lean turkey for a delightful protein twist that keeps the meal exciting and versatile.
• Veggie Volume Boost: Toss in additional vegetables like roasted red peppers, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes to increase nutritional value and create more complex flavor profiles.
• Dairy-Free Dream: Swap half and half with coconut milk or cashew cream for a lighter, lactose-free alternative that maintains the sauce's creamy richness.
• Spice Adventure: Play with different herbs and spices like basil, oregano, or smoked paprika to transform the dish's flavor landscape and match your mood or culinary preferences.

Presenting Chicken Broccoli Pasta Gracefully

• Pasta Night Perfection: Pair this creamy chicken broccoli pasta with a crisp green salad dressed in light vinaigrette for a balanced meal that feels fresh and complete.
• Wine Pairing Paradise: Choose a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the creamy sauce and enhance the dish's delicate herb notes, creating a restaurant-worthy dining experience.
• Veggie Boost Bonus: Sprinkle toasted pine nuts or breadcrumbs on top for an extra crunch that adds texture and elevates the overall eating experience with a delightful nutty undertone.
• Leftover Magic: Transform remaining pasta into a cold pasta salad by adding cherry tomatoes and a drizzle of olive oil, making next-day lunch something to look forward to with excitement.

Keep Chicken Broccoli Pasta Fresh

• Smart Batch Cooking: Transform this recipe into multiple meals by preparing larger quantities. Cook extra chicken and pasta, storing them separately in airtight containers for quick weeknight dinner assemblies.
• Refrigerator Revival Strategy: Store leftovers in sealed containers for 3-4 days. Revive the dish by adding a splash of chicken broth or half and half when reheating to restore the creamy sauce's original texture and prevent dryness.
• Freezer-Friendly Hack: Separate sauce, chicken, and pasta before freezing to maintain optimal quality. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and gently reheat in a skillet, stirring occasionally to restore consistency.
• Lunch Prep Champion: Pack individual portions in meal prep containers with compartments. Keep sauce and pasta separate until ready to eat, ensuring the pasta doesn't become soggy and maintaining maximum flavor and texture.

Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Home cooks adore this creamy chicken broccoli pasta for its rich, comforting flavors and simple preparation. Parmesan cheese and tender chicken create a delicious meal you’ll want to savor again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (450 g) chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 lb (450 g) broccoli florets
• 8 oz (250 g) rigatoni or short pasta
• 1 cup (250 ml) half and half
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• ⅓ cup (40 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ⅓ cup (75 ml) dry white wine
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme, finely chopped
• ¼ tsp red chili flakes
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Bring a large pot of salted water to a vigorous boil. Cook pasta until al dente, adding broccoli florets during the final cooking minutes. Reserve a cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining.
2. Chicken Technique: Heat olive oil and butter in a spacious skillet over medium heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, searing until golden brown and completely cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside, preserving the skillet’s flavorful remnants.
3. Aromatic Base: In the same skillet, sauté onions until translucent, then introduce minced garlic, allowing its fragrance to bloom without burning. Deglaze with dry white wine, scraping up caramelized bits to intensify the dish’s depth.
4. Sauce Development: Add thyme and chili flakes to the skillet, then pour in half and half. Gently simmer the mixture, reducing it to create a velvety sauce. Incorporate the cooked chicken back into the skillet.
5. Final Assembly: Combine pasta and broccoli with the creamy sauce, ensuring thorough coating. Adjust consistency using reserved pasta water if needed. Sprinkle generously with Parmesan cheese, stirring to create a smooth, luxurious texture. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
6. Presentation: Transfer to serving plates, garnishing with additional Parmesan and fresh thyme leaves. The dish offers a harmonious blend of creamy, savory flavors that promise pure culinary comfort.

Notes

• Pasta Water Magic: Reserve some starchy pasta water before draining to help create a silky, perfectly textured sauce that clings beautifully to the pasta.
• Chicken Searing Secrets: Ensure chicken is thoroughly cooked with a golden exterior by using medium heat and avoiding overcrowding the skillet for optimal browning.
• Wine Deglazing Trick: Use a wooden spoon to scrape up caramelized bits when adding white wine, unlocking deep, rich flavor compounds from the pan’s surface.
• Sauce Consistency Tip: Gradually add reserved pasta water if the sauce becomes too thick, creating a smooth, glossy coating that perfectly embraces the pasta and chicken.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 475
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg