Easy Homemade Chicken and Broccoli Pasta – Creamy, Comforting, and Ready in 30 Minutes!

Introduction

When you need a quick, comforting dinner that’s packed with protein, veggies, and creamy goodness, this Chicken and Broccoli Pasta has you covered. Tender chicken, crisp-tender broccoli, and perfectly cooked pasta come together in a luscious garlic cream sauce that tastes like it came straight from your favorite Italian restaurant – but it’s made in your own kitchen in just 30 minutes!

Whether you need an easy family dinner, a meal-prep idea, or a delicious way to use up leftover chicken, this recipe is your new go-to. Plus, it’s customizable – swap the pasta shape, add your favorite cheese, or toss in extra veggies.

🛒 Ingredients with Emojis

🍗 Chicken & Broccoli

• 🍗 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized cubes
• 🥦 3 cups fresh broccoli florets
• 🧂 1/2 tsp salt + 1/4 tsp black pepper, to season chicken

🍝 Pasta

• 🍝 8 oz pasta (penne, farfalle, or rotini work great)

🧄 Sauce & Flavorings

• 🧈 2 tbsp butter
• 🧄 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 🍗 1 cup chicken broth
• 🥛 1 cup heavy cream
• 🧀 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 🧂 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• 🌿 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 🍋 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional, for brightness)

👨‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Cook the Pasta & Broccoli

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Add pasta and cook according to package directions.
• Add broccoli florets during the last 2 minutes of cooking.
• Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1 tbsp butter.
• Season chicken with salt and pepper.
• Add chicken to the skillet and sauté for 4–5 minutes, until browned and cooked through. Transfer chicken to a plate.

Step 3: Make the Cream Sauce

• In the same skillet, melt remaining 1 tbsp butter.
• Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
• Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping up any browned bits.
• Stir in Italian seasoning, optional red pepper flakes, and Parmesan cheese.
• Simmer on low for 3–5 minutes, until sauce thickens.

Step 4: Combine Everything

• Return cooked chicken, pasta, and broccoli to the skillet.
• Toss to coat evenly in the sauce.
• Finish with lemon juice, if using.
• Adjust seasoning with extra salt, pepper, or Parmesan.

Step 5: Serve

• Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley or extra cheese if desired.

Pro Tip: If the sauce gets too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water or chicken broth.

🍽️ Servings and Timing

• Servings: 4
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes

🍴 Serving Suggestions

• With a green salad and crusty bread 🥖
• Topped with crispy bacon or prosciutto for extra flavor
• Paired with a glass of crisp white wine 🍷

💡 Variations

• Cheesy Upgrade: Add shredded mozzarella or fontina.
• Low Carb: Replace pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles.
• Dairy-Free: Use coconut milk or plant-based cream alternative.
• Extra Veggies: Add mushrooms, spinach, or peas.

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator:

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Reheating:

• Reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of broth or cream.
• Microwave individual portions on medium power for 1–2 minutes, stirring halfway.

Freezing:

• Not recommended; creamy sauces tend to separate when thawed.

❓ 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I use leftover cooked chicken?

Yes – add it directly to the sauce to heat through.

2. What pasta shape works best?

Short pastas like penne, rigatoni, or rotini hold the sauce perfectly.

3. Can I make it vegetarian?

Absolutely – omit the chicken and use vegetable broth.

4. Can I use milk instead of cream?

You can, but the sauce will be thinner. Add a bit of flour or cornstarch to thicken.

5. Is fresh broccoli required?

Frozen broccoli works – thaw and pat dry before adding.

6. Can I make it gluten-free?

Yes – use gluten-free pasta.

7. How do I make it spicy?

Increase red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne.

8. Can I add mushrooms?

Yes – sauté them with the garlic before adding broth and cream.

9. Can I double the recipe?

Definitely – just use a large pan or pot to handle the volume.

10. How do I keep pasta from clumping?

Toss hot pasta with a bit of olive oil if not adding immediately to the sauce.

📝 Conclusion

This Easy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta is the kind of delicious, comforting meal you’ll want to make on repeat. Perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy weekend dinner, it comes together in one pan with simple ingredients and tons of flavor.

Adam

Easy Homemade Chicken and Broccoli Pasta – Creamy, Comforting, and Ready in 30 Minutes!

When you need a quick, comforting dinner that’s packed with protein, veggies, and creamy goodness, this Chicken and Broccoli Pasta has you covered. Tender chicken, crisp-tender broccoli, and perfectly cooked pasta come together in a luscious garlic cream sauce that tastes like it came straight from your favorite Italian restaurant – but it’s made in your own kitchen in just 30 minutes! Whether you need an easy family dinner, a meal-prep idea, or a delicious way to use up leftover chicken, this recipe is your new go-to. Plus, it’s customizable – swap the pasta shape, add your favorite cheese, or toss in extra veggies.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

🍗 Chicken & Broccoli

• 🍗 2 chicken breasts cut into bite-sized cubes

🥦 3 cups fresh broccoli florets

🧂 1/2 tsp salt + 1/4 tsp black pepper, to season chicken

🍝 Pasta

🍝 8 oz pasta (penne, farfalle, or rotini work great)

🧄 Sauce & Flavorings

🧈 2 tbsp butter

🧄 3 cloves garlic, minced

🍗 1 cup chicken broth

🥛 1 cup heavy cream

🧀 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

🧂 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

🌿 1 tsp Italian seasoning

🍋 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional, for brightness)

Method

 

Step 1: Cook the Pasta & Broccoli

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Add pasta and cook according to package directions.
3. Add broccoli florets during the last 2 minutes of cooking.
4. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1 tbsp butter.
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
3. Add chicken to the skillet and sauté for 4–5 minutes, until browned and cooked through. Transfer chicken to a plate.

Step 3: Make the Cream Sauce

1. In the same skillet, melt remaining 1 tbsp butter.
2. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
3. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping up any browned bits.
4. Stir in Italian seasoning, optional red pepper flakes, and Parmesan cheese.
5. Simmer on low for 3–5 minutes, until sauce thickens.

Step 4: Combine Everything

1. Return cooked chicken, pasta, and broccoli to the skillet.
2. Toss to coat evenly in the sauce.
3. Finish with lemon juice, if using.
4. Adjust seasoning with extra salt, pepper, or Parmesan.

Step 5: Serve

1. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley or extra cheese if desired.
2. Pro Tip: If the sauce gets too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water or chicken broth.

Notes

💡 Variations
Cheesy Upgrade: Add shredded mozzarella or fontina.

Low Carb: Replace pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles.

Dairy-Free: Use coconut milk or plant-based cream alternative.

Extra Veggies: Add mushrooms, spinach, or peas.

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator:
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Reheating:
Reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of broth or cream.

Microwave individual portions on medium power for 1–2 minutes, stirring halfway.

Freezing:
Not recommended; creamy sauces tend to separate when thawed.

❓ 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use leftover cooked chicken?
Yes – add it directly to the sauce to heat through.

2. What pasta shape works best?
Short pastas like penne, rigatoni, or rotini hold the sauce perfectly.

3. Can I make it vegetarian?
Absolutely – omit the chicken and use vegetable broth.

4. Can I use milk instead of cream?
You can, but the sauce will be thinner. Add a bit of flour or cornstarch to thicken.

5. Is fresh broccoli required?
Frozen broccoli works – thaw and pat dry before adding.

6. Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes – use gluten-free pasta.

7. How do I make it spicy?
Increase red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne.

8. Can I add mushrooms?
Yes – sauté them with the garlic before adding broth and cream.

9. Can I double the recipe?
Definitely – just use a large pan or pot to handle the volume.

10. How do I keep pasta from clumping?
Toss hot pasta with a bit of olive oil if not adding immediately to the sauce.

📝 Conclusion
This Easy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta is the kind of delicious, comforting meal you’ll want to make on repeat. Perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy weekend dinner, it comes together in one pan with simple ingredients and tons of flavor.