This is the pasta dish that brings everyone to the table. “Rich” is the operative word here—we are talking about a luxurious, velvet-smooth Alfredo-style sauce made with heavy cream, garlic, and plenty of Parmesan cheese. It coats the tender chicken, broccoli florets, and pasta shells in a blanket of savory goodness.
While you can make lighter versions, sometimes you just need the real deal. This recipe is pure comfort food, perfect for celebrating a small win or turning a bad day around. The bitterness of the broccoli balances the richness of the sauce perfectly, making it a complete, one-bowl meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Restaurant Quality at Home
This tastes exactly like the Chicken Alfredo you order at your favorite Italian chain, but fresh and customizable. You control the quality of the ingredients, ensuring the chicken is juicy and the broccoli is perfectly al dente, not mushy.
The Sauce
We skip the jarred stuff entirely. A homemade cream sauce takes only 5 minutes to make and the difference in flavor is astronomical. Nutmeg and fresh garlic elevate the cream to something sophisticated and deeply flavorful.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, chopped
- 8 oz pasta (shells or penne)
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pinch nutmeg
Instructions
- Boil pasta. Add broccoli in last 3 mins. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup water.
- Sear chicken in 2 tbsp butter until cooked. Remove.
- Sauté garlic in remaining butter. Add cream and simmer 3 mins.
- Whisk in Parmesan and nutmeg until smooth.
- Toss pasta, broccoli, and chicken in sauce. Serve.
Nutrition
Ingredient Highlights & Substitutions
Essential Ingredients
Heavy Cream: The base of the rich sauce. Half-and-half works but will be thinner.
Parmesan Cheese: Use freshly grated cheese from a block. The pre-shredded stuff has anti-caking agents that make the sauce gritty.
Chicken Breast: Seared in the pan first to build flavor.
Broccoli: Fresh florets are best for texture.
Pasta: Shells, penne, or fettuccine all work well to hold the heavy sauce.
Garlic: Plenty of it!
Smart Substitutions
You can use rotisserie chicken to speed up the process—just add it at the end to warm through. If you want a slightly lighter sauce, you can use a mix of chicken broth and cream cheese to mimic the texture of heavy cream.
If you enjoy high-protein, creamy pasta dishes, you should check out this High Protein Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta for a lighter, macro-friendly version.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep Phase
Boil a large pot of salted water. Chop chicken into bite-sized pieces. Cut broccoli into small florets. Mince garlic.
Cooking Phase
Cook the pasta. In the last 3 minutes of boiling, toss the broccoli into the pasta water. Drain both, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
While pasta cooks, melt butter in a large deep skillet. Sear the chicken until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken.
The Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté garlic in a little more butter until fragrant (30 seconds). Pour in the heavy cream. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until it reduces slightly.
Reduce heat to low. Whisk in the Parmesan cheese until smooth. Add a pinch of nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
Add the cooked pasta, broccoli, and chicken into the sauce. Toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, splash in some reserved pasta water.
Pro Tips for Perfect Results
Technique Secrets
Low Heat for Cheese: When adding the Parmesan, keep the heat low. High heat can cause the oils to separate from the cheese, resulting in a greasy sauce.
Al Dente Broccoli: Cooking the broccoli with the pasta is a huge time saver, but timing is key. 3 minutes is usually perfect for tender-crisp florets.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using jarred minced garlic. In a cream sauce where garlic is a main flavor, the jarred stuff can taste sour or metallic. Fresh cloves are worth the effort.
| Ingredient | Flavor | Texture |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy Cream | Sweet/Rich | Velvety |
| Parmesan | Salty/Nutty | Thickener |
| Broccoli | Earthy | Crunchy |
| Nutmeg | Warmth | – |
Serving Ideas & Pairings
Presentation & Plating
Serve in wide bowls with extra grated cheese and cracked black pepper on top.
Pairing Suggestions
A crisp Caesar salad is the traditional side to cut through the creaminess.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reheat this?
Cream sauces can break when reheated. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of milk, whisking constantly.
Can I freeze it?
Not recommended. The sauce will separate and become grainy.
Conclusion
Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta is a rich, decadent treat that is surprisingly easy to pull together. It’s the ultimate comfort meal that never fails to satisfy.
