Description
This creamy broccoli chicken pasta is a comforting and delicious dish featuring tender chicken thighs, fresh broccoli florets, and a rich parmesan cream sauce tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s an ideal weeknight meal that combines protein, veggies, and comforting carbs in one satisfying plate.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Vegetables
- 500 g (1 lb) boneless chicken thighs, chopped into bite-size pieces
- 2–3 cups broccoli, sliced into small florets
- 3 garlic cloves, crushed or minced
Cooking and Sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 cup heavy or whipping cream
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Olive oil, a few teaspoons
Pasta
- 500 g (1 lb) pasta, cooked with 1 cup cooking water reserved
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Brown Chicken: Heat a large pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Drizzle a few teaspoons of olive oil over the chopped chicken thighs and season with salt and pepper. Brown the chicken in the pan for a few minutes until opaque white and starting to turn golden brown. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Thyme: In the same pan, add butter, crushed garlic, and dried thyme. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant and the butter is melted.
- Create Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and lemon juice, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer Chicken & Broccoli: Return the browned chicken and broccoli florets to the pan. Partially cover the pan and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and broccoli is tender.
- Add Cheese & Seasoning: Stir the grated Parmesan cheese into the sauce until melted and combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat in the creamy sauce. Add reserved pasta cooking water a little at a time if needed to loosen the sauce for better coating.
- Serve: Serve the creamy broccoli chicken pasta immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breasts for thighs if preferred, though thighs stay moister.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and smooth melting.
- If you like a thicker sauce, reduce the amount of reserved pasta water added.
- This dish pairs well with a fresh green salad or garlic bread.
- Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 2 days; reheat gently to avoid curdling the cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
