Description
Hearty chicken and broccoli pasta promises a comforting culinary journey through creamy textures and robust flavors. Savory chicken, tender broccoli, and perfectly cooked pasta combine for a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 lb chicken thighs
Vegetables:
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 medium onion
- 2 cloves garlic
Pasta and Seasonings:
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp dried basil
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Prep the chicken by trimming excess fat and cutting into bite-sized cubes, ensuring uniform pieces for even cooking.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, then add penne pasta and cook until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes, then drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then sauté diced chicken until golden brown and fully cooked, about 6-7 minutes.
- Remove chicken from skillet, then in the same pan, sauté finely chopped onions and minced garlic until translucent and fragrant, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Add broccoli florets to the skillet, stirring frequently and cooking until they become bright green and slightly tender, around 4 minutes.
- Return cooked chicken to the skillet, then pour in chicken broth to create a light sauce, allowing ingredients to meld together for 2-3 minutes.
- Sprinkle dried basil, salt, and black pepper over the mixture, stirring to distribute seasonings evenly.
- Gently fold in cooked penne pasta, ensuring all components are well combined and heated through.
- Remove from heat and garnish with freshly grated parmesan cheese and chopped parsley just before serving.
- Transfer to serving plates, ensuring each portion has a balanced mix of chicken, broccoli, and pasta.
Notes
- Choose chicken breasts with minimal fat to reduce cooking time and create leaner protein portions.
- Slightly undercook pasta during initial boiling since it will continue cooking when mixed with other ingredients, preventing mushy texture.
- Consider using low-sodium chicken broth to control overall salt content and accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Pat chicken dry before sautéing to achieve perfect golden-brown exterior and prevent steaming instead of browning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg