Irresistible Hen Broccoli Pasta

Tender crisp broccoli florets and savory hen are good collectively on this creamy, tacky Hen Broccoli Pasta. I really like the textures and flavors on this tremendous quick meal. Neglect takeout, that is the type of straightforward dinner I’m going to for my busiest weeknights.

A close up horizontally aligned photo of a skillet full of chicken broccoli pasta.

Weeknight dinners are onerous, okay? Even now that my boys are older and will help with the driving, all the actions on our calendar can nonetheless make getting dinner on the desk a bit overwhelming some nights. Dinners like this straightforward pasta remedy the issue.

And, it’s an answer I’ve dialed in over time, like with this Southwest chicken skillet, as a result of they simply work.

Straightforward Hen Broccoli Pasta

I’ve a good variety of recipes that use pre-cooked hen. I really like the way in which that I could make a giant batch within the gradual cooker to avoid wasting me time in entrance of the range. Nevertheless, a store-bought rotisserie hen will work simply as properly.

And, broccoli has been showing at my desk on repeat, just about ever since I discovered find out how to correctly prepare dinner it. Tender crisp, individuals! And since broccoli can also be my center son’s favourite vegetable, it’s included in our recipes steadily.

A vertically aligned image of portions of chicken pasta with broccoli on ceramic plates.

Elements and Substitutions

Pasta – I exploit half a pound of bucatini for this hen broccoli pasta. However, spaghetti, and even linguini noodles would additionally work.

Broccoli – I exploit a lot of broccoli (6 cups!). However, as a result of the florets are diced small, they simply incorporate all through the sauce.

Hen – I like to make use of pre-cooked chicken. However, for this recipe I used a rotisserie hen from the shop.

Butter – I all the time use salted butter, except in any other case famous. On this recipe, I exploit half a stick.

Recent Garlic – I exploit 3 cloves of garlic, except I’m craving extra. Some days, I simply can’t have an excessive amount of garlic.

Hen Broth – I exploit 2 cups of hen broth on this recipe.

Heavy Cream – I solely use 1 cup of heavy cream on this recipe. If the pasta isn’t saucy sufficient, you can too add just a little of the pasta water.

Flour – I exploit just a little flour on this recipe to thicken the sauce. If gluten is a priority, you’ll be able to swap in corn starch as an alternative, however you’ll solely want about half as a lot.

Seasonings – I all the time use kosher salt and freshly floor black pepper in my recipes. And, I strongly desire contemporary parsley to dried parsley. You may style the distinction!

Cheese – Is it actually pasta should you don’t high it with shredded cheese? I really like freshly shredded pecorino cheese with this pasta. However, parmesan works too.

overhead photo of broccoli chicken pasta on black and white towel

Easy methods to Make Hen Broccoli Pasta

Boiling the Water: I set a big pot over excessive warmth on my range to warmth the water.

Cooking the Pasta: I add the pasta noodles to the boiling water with out breaking them, then I prepare dinner them for about 8 minutes, stirring sometimes, till completed.

Prepping the Greens: I peel and mince the garlic and cube the broccoli florets into tiny items.

Melting the Butter: As soon as the greens are prepped, I add half the butter to my massive skillet and soften it over medium warmth.

Including the Greens: I add the minced garlic and diced broccoli to the pan.

Sauteing the Greens: I give the broccoli and garlic a fast stir, then add water and canopy with a lid to prepare dinner for 2-3 minutes, stirring sometimes.

Including the Hen: I add within the cooked hen and toss to mix. Then, I switch the hen and greens to a bowl.

Easy methods to Make the Sauce

Beginning the Sauce: I begin the sauce by melting the remainder of the butter in the identical pan.

Whisking within the Flour: I sprinkle the flour over the butter after which whisk till it’s clean.

Including the Broth: I pour within the hen broth and proceed whisking till it has been totally included.

Rising the Warmth: I enhance the warmth to medium-high and produce to a simmer, stirring sometimes.

Including the Cream: As quickly because it simmers, I add the cream and whisk all of it collectively.

Decreasing the Warmth: As quickly because the cream begins to bubble once more, I scale back the warmth to low.

Simmering the Sauce: I let the sauce slowly simmer at low warmth for 8-10 minutes, stirring sometimes till it begins to thicken.

Placing It All Collectively

Drain the Pasta: I drain the bucatini with a colander into the sink.

Including the Pasta: I add the cooked pasta to the sauce as soon as it has thickened.

Including the Different Elements: I return the hen and greens to the pan, and toss all the things collectively in order that it’s evenly coated with sauce.

Topping the Pasta: I end the hen broccoli pasta by freshly shredding some pecorino cheese over it, after which sprinkling with finely chopped parsley leaves.

Seasoning: I add salt and pepper on the finish as a result of the cheese additionally has salt in it.

chicken and broccoli in skillet with pasta in cream sauce

Knowledgeable Tip

This pasta lives or dies in these minutes the place the butter, flour, broth, and cream come collectively. So, I’m cautious to not rush the roux! A roux is only a fancy phrase for the primary stage of creating a sauce like this with butter and flour.

I’ve discovered to let the flour and butter prepare dinner lengthy sufficient to lose the style of flour. Then, when the broth and cream are added, it’s going to thicken into the silky and clean sauce that you really want! Persistence makes all of the distinction.

Chop Small – In a dish like this, I discover that it pays to cut issues just a little smaller than you suppose they need to be. Smaller items make it simpler to get all of the elements in each chunk.

Let it Relaxation – As soon as all the things is prepared, I give the pasta a couple of minutes to loosen up within the pan, as an alternative of serving it piping scorching. Heat sauce has higher consistency and thickness.

creamy pasta with chicken and broccoli in stainless skillet

Serving Solutions

Every time I make this recipe, I prefer to pair with one thing mild and contemporary like this cucumber tomato salad or a sweet kale vegetable salad. This gives stability within the meal between the contemporary veg and the creamy, hearty hen pasta. If I’m feeling it, I’ll additionally whip up some contemporary garlic herb bread to go together with it.

And, is there ever a foul day for dessert? Not at my home! I really like ending this hen broccoli pasta with a skinny slice of this Hershey’s chocolate cake. It’s onerous to think about a greater be aware to finish on, somewhat than wealthy chocolate.

Make Forward & Storage

Make Forward: You are able to do among the prep for this recipe forward of time, however I don’t advocate making the entire dish beforehand. As a substitute, I prep the sauce with hen and greens, however don’t prepare dinner the noodles till able to serve.

Easy methods to Retailer: I discover that this dinner retains properly within the fridge for as much as 3 days, if saved in an hermetic container. The sauce will thicken because it chills.

Easy methods to reheat: The important thing to reheating this meal? I add a splash of cream or milk and use low warmth to convey it again as much as the specified temperature on the range. I attempt to keep away from utilizing the microwave as a result of it tends to interrupt the sauce into an oily mess.

Tongs show the pasta close up in this vertically aligned image.

Extra Pasta Recipes

Steadily Requested Questions

Why is my pasta sauce runny?

If you happen to’ve adopted the directions, then chances are high good you nailed it. The sauce will thicken to consistency you need whenever you let it cool sufficient to eat!

Can I exploit frozen broccoli?

I don’t advocate it. Frozen broccoli has already been partially cooked, and so the outcome will lack the textures that make it so good on this recipe.

What does “tender-crisp” really imply?

The easiest way that I can clarify it’s that the broccoli must be shiny inexperienced, and simply pierced with a fork. However, once I chew it, it nonetheless has a slight chunk. If it’s mushy, you went too far. If it’s nonetheless onerous, give it one other minute.

How do I do know when the roux is prepared?

I all the time take note of the slight colour shift from yellow to white, and the aroma change. It ought to scent barely nutty. Right here’s video tutorial on making a roux.

Set a big pot of water over excessive warmth on the range. Cook dinner and drain the pasta, in line with the instructions on the bundle.
Whereas the pasta is cooking, soften 2 tablespoons of butter in a big, deep skillet over medium warmth. Add the garlic and the broccoli, toss to coat. Then, add 2 tablespoons of water, and canopy with a lid.
Cook dinner for 2-3 minutes till shiny inexperienced and tender-crisp, stirring sometimes. Then, add the hen, toss to mix, and switch all the things to a big bowl subsequent to the range.
Soften the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in the identical skillet over medium warmth. Then, whisk the flour into the melted butter to create a roux.
Slowly add the hen broth, whisking to mix. Then, enhance the warmth to medium-high and produce to a simmer. Simmer for 2 minutes, then add the cream.
As quickly because it simmers once more, scale back warmth to low. Let it simmer on low, stirring continuously for 8-10 minutes. The sauce will thicken barely because it cooks.
Add the cooked pasta to the pan with the sauce and toss to coat. Then, return the hen and broccoli and toss gently to combine all through. Season to style with salt and pepper. Then, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and parsley earlier than serving.