Description
A comforting Broccoli & Cheese Pasta with Chicken dish that combines creamy cheese, tender chicken, and vibrant broccoli, perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz of shells or penne pasta
Chicken
- 1 lb of chicken breast
Broccoli
- 2 cups of fresh or frozen broccoli florets
Cheese Sauce
- 1 cup of cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup of heavy cream
Seasoning
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Oil
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat some olive oil over medium heat. Season the chicken breast with salt and pepper, then add it to the skillet. Cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes per side. Remove and let it rest before slicing it into bite-sized pieces.
- Prepare the Broccoli: In the same skillet, add a bit more oil if needed, and toss in the broccoli. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Gradually add the cheddar cheese, stirring constantly until melted and smooth. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine Everything: Add the cooked pasta and sliced chicken to the skillet, tossing everything together until well coated in the creamy cheese sauce. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
Notes
- Cook Pasta Al Dente for better texture.
- Use Fresh Ingredients for improved flavor.
- Reserve Pasta Water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
- Experiment with Cheese for unique flavors.
- Let It Rest before serving for better flavor integration.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Broccoli, Cheese, Pasta, Chicken, Comfort Food, Quick Dinner