Chicken Broccoli Alfredo is a one pot dinner recipe that the whole family will love! This creamy pasta dish only takes about 30 minutes to make, making this the perfect weeknight dinner recipe.
Chicken Broccoli Alfredo
This simple pasta recipe is made with diced chicken, broccoli and a simple cream sauce made with heavy cream and parmesan cheese. Flavored with Italian seasoning and garlic, this delicious alfredo recipe is absolutely delicious. This recipe can be made in only one pot in about 30 minutes! Add a salad and some garlic bread and dinner is served!
What to serve with Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo?
Chicken Broccoli Alfredo is a complete meal on its own, with protein, carbs, and veggies all in one dish. If you want to add some variety to your meal, here are some ideas of things to serve with the pasta.
- Garlic Bread: Serve some Cheesy Garlic Bread or Soft Homemade Breadsticks on the side to soak up the creamy sauce. You can make your own with a baguette or use store-bought garlic bread for convenience.
- Salad: A simple side salad is a great way to add some freshness and crunch to your meal. A Caesar salad or mixed greens with a vinaigrette dressing would pair well with the flavors of the dish.
- Vegetables: If you want to add more veggies to your meal, serve some Honey Glazed Carrots or Sugared Asparagus.
- Dessert: You can’t forget dessert! Try our easy Cherry Chocolate Cake or Layered Oreo Pudding Dessert, or even just a simple scoop of ice cream works too!
Ingredients in Chicken Broccoli Alfredo
One Pot Chicken Broccoli Alfredo requires a handful of ingredients that are easy to find in most grocery stores. Here is a list of the necessary ingredients:
- Olive oil: One tablespoon of olive oil is used to cook the chicken in the skillet. It adds a subtle flavor to the dish and prevents the chicken from sticking to the pan.
- Chicken breast: One pound of diced chicken breast is used in this recipe. It is cooked until it is no longer pink inside.
- Garlic: Two cloves of garlic, finely chopped or minced, are added to the pan after the chicken is cooked. Garlic adds a delicious flavor to the dish and is a great source of antioxidants.
- Chicken broth: Four cups of chicken broth are used to cook the pasta. It adds flavor to the dish and helps cook the pasta to perfection.
- Short pasta: One pound of short pasta is used in this recipe. It can be any type of short pasta such as penne, fusilli, or rigatoni. Short pasta works best in this recipe as it cooks faster and absorbs the sauce well.
- Broccoli: One head of broccoli is cut into florets and added to the pasta. Broccoli is a great source of vitamins and adds a nutritious element to the dish.
- Italian seasoning: Two teaspoons of Italian seasoning are added to the pasta. It adds a delicious flavor to the dish and complements the other ingredients well.
- Heavy cream: One cup of heavy cream is used to make the sauce creamy and rich. It adds a delicious flavor to the dish and makes it more indulgent.
- Parmesan cheese: A quarter cup of grated parmesan cheese is added to the sauce. It adds a delicious, nutty flavor to the dish and helps thicken the sauce.
- Salt and pepper: Salt and pepper are added to taste to enhance the flavor of the dish. It is recommended to taste the dish before adding salt and pepper as the chicken broth and parmesan cheese already contain salt.
How to make Chicken Broccoli Alfredo
Cooking the Chicken
To start making the Chicken Broccoli Alfredo, heat the olive oil in a large skillet with a lid or saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken breast and cook, stirring frequently, until it is cooked through. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pan and set it aside.
Cooking the Pasta and Broccoli
In the same pan, add the finely chopped garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until fragrant. Add the chicken broth and pasta to the pan. Bring to a simmer, cover with a lid, and cook for 8 minutes, stirring every so often.
After 8 minutes, add the broccoli florets and Italian seasoning to the pasta. Stir through, then cover once again with the lid for a further 4 minutes, or until the pasta has cooked through. Be sure to stir the pasta frequently to avoid it sticking to the base of the pan.
Making the Creamy Alfredo Sauce
Once the pasta and broccoli are cooked, add the heavy cream and grated parmesan cheese to the pan. Stir frequently until the sauce has thickened slightly and the cheese has melted. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Combining Everything
Finally, add the cooked chicken back into the pan with the pasta and sauce. Stir everything together until the chicken is heated through and the sauce is evenly distributed.
Serve the Chicken Broccoli Alfredo hot, garnished with extra grated parmesan cheese if desired.
Chicken Broccoli Alfredo
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound chicken breast diced
- 2 garlic cloves finely chopped or minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 pound short pasta penne, rotini, etc
- 1 broccoli head cut into florets
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Extra grated parmesan cheese for garnishing (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet with a lid or saucepan over a medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, stirring, until cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Add the garlic to the pan and cook, stirring, for 1 minutes or until fragrant. Add the chicken broth and pasta. Bring to a simmer, cover with a lid and cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the broccoli florets and Italian seasoning to the pasta. Stir through, cover with the lid for about 4 minutes, or until the pasta has cooked through.
- Add the heavy cream and grated parmesan to the pasta. Stir frequently until the sauce has thickened slightly and the cheese has melted. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Divide the pasta between serving bowls and sprinkle with the extra grated parmesan cheese, if desired.
Nutrition
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Tips for making Chicken Broccoli Alfredo
- Use fresh broccoli florets for the best taste and texture. Frozen broccoli can be used in a pinch, but it may become mushy when cooked.
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese has a stronger flavor than shredded parmesan cheese, so use freshly grated cheese if possible.
- You can add additional vegetables, like bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini if you’d like. Add them in with the broccoli florets for a more colorful and nutritious dish.
- To make this dish vegetarian, leave out the chicken and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts are a lean protein source, but they can become dry if overcooked. Be sure to cook them until they are no longer pink inside, but avoid overcooking them.
Can I use different types of pasta?
Yes, you can use different types of pasta in this recipe. Short pasta works best, but you can use any type of pasta you prefer. Just adjust the cooking time as needed.
Can I use frozen broccoli?
Yes, you can use frozen broccoli in this recipe. Just make sure to thaw it before adding it to the pasta. You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly as well.
Can I use a different type of cheese?
Yes, you can use a different type of cheese if you prefer. However, keep in mind that the flavor and consistency of the sauce may be different. Parmesan cheese adds a nutty and salty flavor, but you can try using other hard cheeses like Romano or Asiago.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
This recipe is best served fresh, but you can make it ahead of time and reheat it later. Keep in mind that the pasta may absorb some of the sauce, so you may need to add a little more cream or broth when reheating.
Can I use leftover chicken?
Yes, you can use leftover chicken in this recipe. Just make sure to heat it through before adding it to the pasta. You can also use rotisserie chicken for a quick and easy shortcut.
Can I add other vegetables?
Yes, you can add other vegetables to this recipe. Mushrooms, bell peppers, and zucchini are all great options. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time as needed and add the vegetables in stages to ensure they cook evenly.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes, you can make this recipe dairy-free by using a dairy-free cream substitute and omitting the Parmesan cheese. You can also try using nutritional yeast as a substitute for the cheese.
More delicious pasta recipes that we love:
- Pasta with Roasted Vegetables and Sauce
- Lemony Garlic Pasta
- Copycat Chili’s Cajun Chicken Pasta
- Easy Garlic Butter Pasta
- Pasta Caprese
- Chicken Fajita Pasta
- Chicken Garlic Butter Pasta
- Pizza Pasta Casserole
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
- Pasta Fagioli
- Crockpot Chicken Alfredo Lasagna
- Easy Cheese Manicotti
Chicken Broccoli Alfredo is a perfect meal for those busy weeknights when you want something quick, easy, and delicious. With the sauce and pasta cooking in one pot, this recipe is a breeze to make and even easier to clean up!
Margaret Trevis says
What to use instead of dairy. Can’t tolerate them anymore. Would like to try some other dishes .
Nellie says
You can make this recipe dairy-free by using a dairy-free cream substitute and omitting the Parmesan cheese. You can also try using nutritional yeast as a substitute for the cheese.
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
Easy and delicious, this one is a keeper. I know I’m going to make it over and over again!
Jessica says
So glad to hear!
Hanna says
My family loved this! I love how the broccoli is in the pasta dish. My kids actually ate the broccoli with the yummy sauce on it. Thanks for another great dinner recipe!
Jessica says
Thanks Hanna!