Chicken and Broccoli Pasta

Introduction

Craving a meal that brings together the creaminess of comfort food, a punch of protein, and the nutrition of greens—all in one easy skillet? Chicken and Broccoli Pasta is your answer! This recipe marries tender chicken, crisp-tender broccoli, and a rich, flavorful sauce over perfectly cooked pasta. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, thanks to its balanced taste, straightforward preparation, and ability to satisfy both kids and adults alike.

Why Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Is a Weeknight Winner

What makes this recipe truly stand out is its simplicity and adaptability. It uses familiar ingredients you likely already have in your pantry, comes together in under an hour, and turns out reliably delicious every time. Plus, the combination of lean chicken breast, fiber-rich broccoli, and wholesome pasta delivers both satisfaction and nutrition in every bite.

Perfectly Cooked Chicken and Broccoli

For succulent chicken, sauté bite-sized pieces just until golden. Add broccoli florets in the same pan partway through to soak up flavorful juices and finish cooking together. This not only saves you steps (and dishes) but also ensures everything comes together fresh and hot.

Assembling Your Chicken and Broccoli Pasta

Once your pasta is al dente, toss it into the pan with the cooked chicken and broccoli. Add your creamy or light garlic sauce—customize further by mixing in parmesan for richness or using a dash of lemon for brightness. Toss well, allowing the sauce to evenly coat every nook, and finish with a fresh grind of black pepper.

Serving Suggestions for a Standout Dinner

This pasta is delicious on its own, but you can elevate it with a sprinkle of toasted breadcrumbs or red pepper flakes. Serve alongside garlic bread or a crisp green salad, and you have a complete meal primed for family dinners, meal prep, or even potlucks.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 4 hearty portions. Per serving, you’ll enjoy around 450–500 calories, depending on your sauce choice and toppings. Each bowl is packed with lean protein, veggies, and satisfying carbohydrates—with plenty of ways to lighten or enrich to your taste.

Chicken and Broccoli Pasta (Recap)

A true one-pan wonder, Chicken and Broccoli Pasta seamlessly integrates taste and nutrition. Its creamy texture, lively flavors, and easy customization make it an essential part of any busy cook’s rotation.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and stress-free weekly meal planning.

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions. In the last 2 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets. Drain and set aside (reserve 1/2 cup pasta water if not using broth).
2. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, season lightly with salt, pepper, and herbs (if using), and sauté until golden and cooked through, 5–6 minutes.
3. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring.
4. Pour in chicken broth (or reserved pasta water), scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Stir in heavy cream, if using, and simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
5. Add drained pasta and broccoli to the skillet. Toss everything to combine.
6. Stir in grated parmesan and a squeeze of lemon juice (if using). Adjust seasoning with extra salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes to taste.
7. Serve hot, topped with extra parmesan and your preferred garnish.

Weekly Meal Planning

Chicken and Broccoli Pasta is perfect for weekly meal prep. Save and schedule this recipe to your CookifyAI meal planner so you can organize which nights to have it, consolidate ingredients with other recipes, and effortlessly build a sharable shopping list for your entire week.

Planning Benefits:

– Automatically calculates total ingredient quantities across all planned meals
– Organizes shopping lists by grocery store sections for faster trips
– Prevents forgotten or duplicate items, reducing food waste
– Makes prepping and cooking weeknight meals a breeze

Pro tip: When adding multiple recipes, schedule and compare ingredients to combine quantities like chicken, broccoli, or cheese—making grocery shopping and prep more efficient!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes