Description
This Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo is a creamy, comforting pasta dish that perfectly balances tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and a rich Parmesan sauce. It’s easy to make and comes together quickly, making it a fantastic choice for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
2 chicken breasts, sliced into strips
Salt & pepper (optional)
2 tbsp olive oil or butter
3 cups broccoli florets
8 oz fettuccine or pasta of choice
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp black pepper
Optional: pinch of nutmeg or red pepper flakes
Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook according to package instructions. Add the broccoli florets during the last 2–3 minutes of cooking. Drain the pasta and broccoli together, then set aside.
- Cook chicken: Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken strips with salt and pepper if desired. Cook the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Make Alfredo sauce: In the same skillet, add a bit more butter if needed and sauté the minced garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and let it simmer gently for 2–3 minutes.
- Add cheese: Stir in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Season with black pepper and add the optional nutmeg or red pepper flakes if you like a little extra flavor. Let the sauce simmer until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.
- Combine everything: Return the cooked pasta, broccoli, and chicken to the skillet. Toss everything together to coat well with the Alfredo sauce.
- Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half or milk for the heavy cream, though the sauce won’t be quite as rich.
Swap out broccoli for other vegetables like asparagus, peas, or spinach.
Add sun-dried tomatoes or sautéed mushrooms for extra flavor.
Use different pasta shapes like penne or linguine for variety.
Add crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce.
Avoid microwaving to prevent sauce separation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Boiling, Sautéing, Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximate)
- Calories: 600 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
