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cheesy chicken broccoli pasta in a skillet freshly made.
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4.47 from 162 votes

Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Pasta

This Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Pasta is a dish that is packed with cheesy, rich flavor, loaded with chicken and broccoli. It's prepared all in the same pot to ensure each bite is tasty and easy to whip up in a flash! One pot and only 30 minutes is all you require to make this incredibly delicious dish!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American
Keyword: 30 minute meals, cheesy chicken broccoli pasta, chicken pasta recipe
Servings: 6
Calories: 468kcal
Author: Joanna Cismaru

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound chicken breasts boneless and skinless cut into small bite size pieces
  • ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon pepper or to taste
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 8 ounce pasta uncooked, such as penne, shells, rigatoni, etc.
  • 1 cup chicken broth low sodium
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 cup broccoli cut into small florets, 1 head of broccoli
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and season them with salt and pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and starts to lightly brown.
    process shots showing how to make cheesy chicken broccoli pasta.
  • Add the onions, garlic and cook for another 2 minutes until the onions softens a little bit.
    process shots showing how to make cheesy chicken broccoli pasta.
  • Add the pasta, chicken broth, milk and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to low, stir, cover the pot/skillet and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta cooks through.
    process shots showing how to make cheesy chicken broccoli pasta.
  • Uncover the pot and stir in the broccoli. Continue cooking for a couple more minutes until all the liquid evaporates.
    process shots showing how to make cheesy chicken broccoli pasta.
  • Stir in the nutmeg and cheddar cheese. Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper if needed.
    process shots showing how to make cheesy chicken broccoli pasta.

Video

Notes

  1. Pasta Choices: You can use any pasta you prefer or have on hand. Penne, rigatoni, and shells work especially well as they hold the sauce nicely.
  2. Chicken Substitute: This recipe is versatile. You can substitute the chicken with turkey, shrimp, or even tofu for a vegetarian option.
  3. Cheese Options: While cheddar is used in this recipe, feel free to experiment with other cheeses that melt well, like Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or Gouda.
  4. Leftovers: This dish stores well in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. To reheat, add a splash of milk or broth to help revive the creaminess of the sauce.
  5. Spice it Up: If you like a bit of heat, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the salt and pepper when seasoning the chicken.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 468kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 92mg | Sodium: 590mg | Potassium: 670mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 671IU | Vitamin C: 30mg | Calcium: 397mg | Iron: 1mg