
06/19/2025
🍗🥦🍝 Creamy Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Pasta
A comforting classic perfect for any night of the week! This Creamy Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Pasta features tender, sautéed chicken and crisp-tender broccoli florets generously coated in a luxurious, homemade Parmesan Alfredo sauce, all tossed with your favorite pasta. It's a wholesome and incredibly satisfying meal that comes together quickly.
Yields: 3-4 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20-25 minutes
Ingredients
🍝 Pasta:
340g (12 oz) pasta (fettuccine, linguine, penne, or rotini work well)
Salt for pasta water
🍗 Chicken:
450g (1 lb) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch (2.5 cm) bite-sized pieces
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt & freshly cracked black pepper to taste
🥦 Broccoli:
4 cups (about 1 medium head) fresh broccoli florets
(Optional: 1 tbsp olive oil, a pinch of salt if roasting or steaming separately)
🧀 Sauce: Creamy Alfredo:
3 tbsp unsalted butter 🧈
4-5 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
1 ½ cups (350ml) heavy cream
½ cup (120ml) chicken or vegetable broth
1 ½ cups (350ml) grated Parmesan cheese 🧀 (freshly grated is highly recommended!)
Salt & freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Pinch of nutmeg (optional, enhances creaminess)
✨ Garnish (Optional):
Fresh parsley, chopped
Extra grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Cook the Pasta & Broccoli
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil.
Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
For the broccoli:
If boiling with pasta: 3-4 minutes before the pasta is done, add the broccoli florets to the boiling pasta water. They will cook alongside the pasta.
If steaming/roasting separately (recommended for better texture): Steam the broccoli florets for 5-7 minutes until crisp-tender, or toss with 1 tbsp olive oil and a pinch of salt, then roast at 200°C (400°F) for 10-15 minutes until tender-crisp with slight charring. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup (240ml) of the starchy pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and broccoli (if cooked together) and set aside.
Cook the Chicken
While the pasta cooks, season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet (large enough to hold the pasta later) over medium-high heat.
Add the chicken to the hot skillet in a single layer (cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding). Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Make the Creamy Alfredo Sauce
In the same large skillet (no need to clean it), melt 3 tbsp butter over medium heat.
Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Pour in the heavy cream and chicken/vegetable broth. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Reduce heat to low. Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese, a handful at a time, until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. If using, stir in a pinch of nutmeg.
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly cracked black pepper. If the sauce is too thick, thin it with a splash of the reserved pasta water (or plain water/broth).
Combine & Serve
Add the cooked pasta, cooked chicken, and cooked broccoli to the skillet with the Alfredo sauce.
Toss everything gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated in the rich, creamy sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a bit more reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
Serve immediately in warm bowls. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Tips for Success
Fresh Parmesan: Using freshly grated Parmesan cheese makes a significant difference in the smoothness and flavor of the Alfredo sauce compared to pre-shredded varieties.
Don't Overcook Chicken/Broccoli: Overcooked chicken can be dry, and overcooked broccoli can be mushy. Cook until just tender-crisp.
Pasta Water is Key: That starchy pasta water is your secret ingredient! It helps the sauce emulsify and adhere beautifully to the pasta.
Heat Control: Keep the heat on low when adding Parmesan to the sauce to prevent it from clumping or getting grainy.
Add-ins: Feel free to customize with a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat, or other herbs like thyme.