How to Make Chicken and Broccoli Pasta
This Chicken and Broccoli Pasta is a delicious and healthy dish that combines tender chicken breast, fresh broccoli, and pasta, all brought together with a light garlic and olive oil sauce. It's perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a comforting meal any time of the year.
Equipment
- 1 Large pot
- 1 Colander
- 1 Large skillet
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Measuring cups
- 1 Measuring spoons
- 1 Wooden spoon or spatula
Ingredients
- 12 ounces pasta e.g., penne or rotini.
- 1 lb chicken breast, diced
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese for serving.
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Begin by boiling a large pot of salted water. Once boiling, add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining, then drain the pasta in a colander and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced chicken breast and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes, or until it is no longer pink and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.
- Next, add the broccoli florets to the skillet. Sauté for about 4-5 minutes until the broccoli is bright green and tender-crisp.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the broccoli. Stir to combine, then add the drained pasta. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta cooking water a little at a time, until you reach your desired sauce consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Remove from heat and serve immediately, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.
Notes
Feel free to customize this recipe by adding other vegetables such as bell peppers or spinach.
You can also substitute the chicken with shrimp or keep it vegetarian by adding chickpeas.
For a creamier sauce, you can stir in a few tablespoons of heavy cream or Greek yogurt at the end.