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To make a tasty Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Skillet, you'll need a few key ingredients. Here’s what you should gather: - 2 cups pasta (penne or fusilli) - 1 lb chicken breast, cubed - 2 cups fresh broccoli florets - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth - 1 cup heavy cream - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning - 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 2 tablespoons olive oil - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh parsley for garnish These ingredients create a rich and creamy dish. The chicken brings protein, while broccoli adds color and nutrients. Pasta binds everything together, making it a filling meal. The garlic and Italian seasoning enhance the flavors, creating a comforting dish. Don't forget the Parmesan cheese; it adds a delicious umami taste. Gathering these ingredients sets you up for a successful cooking experience. Enjoy the process and have fun in the kitchen! {{ingredient_image_2}} First, we sauté the chicken. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add 1 pound of cubed chicken breast. Season it with salt and pepper. Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes. Stir it often until it is browned and cooked through. Once done, remove the chicken and set it aside on a plate. Next, we need to sauté the garlic. In the same skillet, turn the heat down to medium. Add 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté them for 1 minute until they smell great. Be careful not to burn them. Now, pour in 1 cup of low-sodium chicken broth. Bring it to a gentle simmer. Add 2 cups of fresh broccoli florets and cook for 3-4 minutes. The broccoli should be bright green and tender. Now, it’s time to add cream and seasoning. Stir in 1 cup of heavy cream and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Let this mixture heat up. While it simmers, cook 2 cups of pasta in a separate pot. Follow the package instructions until the pasta is al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside. Next, add the drained pasta to the skillet along with the cooked chicken. Mix everything carefully until coated with the creamy sauce. For the final touches, sprinkle in 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese melts and the dish becomes creamy. Taste your dish and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Remove the skillet from the heat. Let it sit for a few minutes to thicken. Serve the pasta hot in deep bowls. Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan for a lovely touch. To get a golden-brown crust, use medium-high heat. This helps the chicken brown nicely. Make sure to space the chicken cubes out in the skillet. If they are too close, they will steam instead of sear. Cook the chicken for 5 to 7 minutes until it's no longer pink inside. Avoid overcooking by checking it often. Overcooked chicken can be dry and tough. To ensure the sauce is creamy, use heavy cream. Add it after cooking the garlic and broccoli. Stir slowly to mix it well with the broth. Season the sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Adding Italian seasoning will enhance the flavor. Taste the sauce before serving. Adjust the seasoning as needed for the best taste. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Aim for al dente, which means it should be firm but cooked. Timing is key here. Start cooking the pasta while you make the sauce. This saves time and keeps everything warm. For this dish, penne or fusilli works best. These shapes hold the sauce well, giving you a tasty bite every time. Pro Tips Perfect Pasta: To achieve the best texture, cook the pasta just until al dente. It will continue to cook slightly when mixed with the hot sauce. Broccoli Brightness: To keep broccoli vibrant and green, avoid overcooking. It should be tender but still crisp when added to the dish. Cheese Choice: For a richer flavor, consider using aged Parmesan or Pecorino Romano instead of regular Parmesan cheese. Flavor Boost: Add a splash of lemon juice or a pinch of red pepper flakes for an extra layer of flavor and a bit of heat. {{image_4}} You can switch out chicken for shrimp or tofu. Shrimp cooks fast, about 3-5 minutes. Tofu needs a bit more time. Cook it until it's golden brown, usually around 7-10 minutes. This way, you keep the dish tasty and healthy. Add other veggies like bell peppers, spinach, or peas. They add color and fresh flavor. Just cut them into small pieces so they cook evenly. If you add more veggies, you may need to cook them a little longer. Check for doneness after 5-7 minutes. Boost the taste with spices like red pepper flakes or fresh herbs. Basil or oregano can really brighten the dish. For cheese, try mozzarella or gouda for a different twist. Just remember to melt it slowly to keep it creamy and smooth. To store leftovers, let the Chicken and Broccoli Pasta cool first. Place it in an airtight container. This prevents air from making it dry. You can keep it in the fridge for up to three days. For best flavor, eat it within two days. The best containers for storage are glass or BPA-free plastic. Glass containers help keep food fresh. They also make it easy to see what's inside. For reheating, use a skillet or microwave. A skillet works best to keep the dish creamy. Heat it on low to medium heat. Stir often to avoid sticking. If using a microwave, place a serving in a bowl. Cover it with a damp paper towel. Heat it for 1 to 2 minutes. Stir halfway to heat evenly. The dish should be hot, around 165°F. Enjoy your meal again! To make this Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Skillet gluten-free, swap regular pasta for gluten-free options. You can use gluten-free penne or fusilli. These pasta types hold up well in the dish and taste great too. Yes, you can use frozen broccoli in this recipe. Just know that frozen broccoli takes longer to cook. Simmer it for about 5 to 6 minutes until it's tender. This way, it will still taste fresh and vibrant. If you want to spice things up, add red pepper flakes. Start with a pinch and adjust as you like. You can also use diced jalapeños for a fresh kick. Both options will add great heat to your dish. To prevent pasta from sticking, stir it often while it cooks. Use plenty of water in the pot and add a pinch of salt. After draining, toss the pasta with a little olive oil. This keeps it from clumping together. This blog post covers a rich chicken pasta recipe that’s simple and tasty. You learned how to cook chicken and sauté garlic and broccoli for a creamy sauce. I shared tips on cooking pasta perfectly and how to store leftovers. You can also try different proteins and veggies to make this dish your own. Cooking at home can be fun and rewarding. By using these steps, you’ll impress your family and friends. Enjoy your meal!

Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Skillet

Savor the deliciousness of this creamy chicken pasta skillet, a perfect mix of tender chicken and vibrant broccoli in a rich, cheesy sauce. This easy chicken broccoli pasta recipe is a one-pot creamy pasta solution for busy weeknights, ready in just 30 minutes! With freshly grated Parmesan cheese, it’s a quick dinner that the whole family will love. Try it tonight and make mealtime effortless! #CreamyChickenPasta #EasyDinnerRecipes #OnePotPasta #ChickenBroccoliPasta
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Ingredients
  

2 cups pasta (penne or fusilli)

1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized cubes

2 cups fresh broccoli florets

3 cloves garlic, finely minced

1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

1 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions
 

Sauté the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the cubed chicken breast, ensuring it’s seasoned with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is nicely browned and cooked through. Once done, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.

    Sauté the Garlic: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic. Sauté for approximately 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.

      Simmer the Broccoli: Pour the chicken broth into the skillet and bring it to a gentle simmer. Add the broccoli florets and cook for about 3-4 minutes, or until they are tender yet still bright green and vibrant.

        Add Cream and Seasoning: Stir in the heavy cream and Italian seasoning, allowing the mixture to heat through and meld the flavors.

          Cook the Pasta: While the sauce is developing, cook the pasta in a separate pot according to the package instructions until al dente. Once done, drain the pasta and set aside.

            Combine Everything: Add the drained pasta to the skillet, along with the cooked chicken. Gently mix everything together until well incorporated and evenly coated with the creamy sauce.

              Add Cheese: Gradually sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the cheese is fully melted and the dish becomes creamy. Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper as desired.

                Thicken the Dish: Remove the skillet from the heat and let it sit for a couple of minutes to thicken slightly, enhancing the flavors.

                  Prep Time: 10 min | Total Time: 30 min | Servings: 4

                    - Presentation Tips: Serve the pasta hot in deep bowls, garnished with a generous sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley and an extra dusting of Parmesan cheese for a touch of elegance and color. Enjoy your delicious dish!