Description
Creamy chicken and broccoli pasta offers a delightful blend of tender chicken, crisp broccoli, and silky sauce. Comfort meets convenience in this quick, satisfying meal that will delight your taste buds and simplify weeknight dinner plans.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 chicken breasts, cooked and cut into small cubes
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
Pasta and Vegetables:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) penne pasta
- 2 cups broccoli, cut into small florets
- 1 small onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Seasoning and Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Fill a spacious pot with water and generously salt the liquid to create a flavorful base for cooking pasta.
- Pour penne into the boiling water and monitor cooking time according to package guidelines. During the final 5 minutes, introduce broccoli florets directly into the pasta water.
- Carefully drain pasta and broccoli using a colander, then set aside while preparing the sauce.
- Select a large cooking vessel and warm olive oil over moderate heat.
- Introduce diced onions and sauté until they become translucent and slightly softened, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Incorporate minced garlic, then season with salt and black pepper, allowing aromatics to release their fragrant essence for about 1 minute.
- Dust flour over the aromatic mixture, stirring continuously to create a smooth roux and prevent burning.
- Slowly stream whole milk into the pot, whisking consistently to eliminate potential lumps and create a silky sauce.
- Allow sauce to simmer and thicken, stirring periodically to prevent scorching.
- Fold grated parmesan cheese into the sauce, ensuring complete melting and creating a rich, creamy texture.
- Gently combine cooked pasta, tender broccoli, and diced chicken breasts with the parmesan sauce.
- Stir thoroughly to ensure every ingredient is evenly coated and heated throughout, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer the completed dish to a serving platter, creating an inviting presentation.
- Optional: Sprinkle additional parmesan cheese on top for enhanced flavor and visual appeal.
- Perform final seasoning adjustment and serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection: Cook penne until just al dente to maintain a slight firmness, preventing mushy texture.
- Broccoli Boost: Add broccoli florets during the last 5 minutes of pasta cooking to preserve vibrant green color and crisp-tender texture.
- Sauce Smoothness: Whisk milk gradually and stir constantly to prevent lumps and achieve a silky, creamy consistency.
- Protein Swap: Replace chicken with tofu, shredded rotisserie chicken, or plant-based protein for dietary variations.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg