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Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Pasta is an easy recipe that combines protein, carbs, and veggies in a simple homemade cream sauce. It's a perfect dish for creamy chicken pasta lovers!
If you're tired of dry, tasteless chicken breast recipes, then it's time to try different ways to cook chicken. In this creamy chicken and broccoli alfredo pasta, the chicken is moist and tender, as it is smothered in a creamy, white cheese alfredo sauce. This delicious family favorite dinner combines protein (chicken), carbs (pasta), veggies (broccoli) and a homemade creamy sauce.
This recipe has been repinned literally a million times, because it's simple and quick, with the amazing alfredo sauce made completely from scratch.
What do you put in Alfredo sauce?
Basic alfredo sauce recipe generally requires only heavy cream, garlic, Parmesan cheese, a little bit of butter. Garlic is always welcome, too.
What cheese to use in Alfredo sauce?
This recipe works with Parmesan cheese, Mozzarella cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, all shredded. I use short pasta (penne) which I find is perfect for creamy sauces as it feels like you get more sauce with each bite.
How do you make Alfredo sauce without heavy cream?
You can make alfredo sauce with half-and-half or milk instead of heavy cream. If you do use half-and-half or milk, you will have to use more butter.
Other creamy chicken pasta recipes
If you liked this chicken broccoli alfredo pasta recipe, you will also enjoy these recipes:
- Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken, Broccoli, and Bacon - homemade alfredo sauce recipe with the addition of bacon!
- Chicken and Broccoli Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce - creamy pasta with the sun-dried tomato and basil cream sauce.
- Chicken and Bacon Pasta with Tomatoes and Spinach - in this recipe, sliced chicken breast and bacon are tossed with veggies and penne pasta in a delicious, creamy, homemade Alfredo sauce made with Parmesan cheese.
Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Pasta
Ingredients
- 10 ounces broccoli
- 8 ounces penne pasta (for gluten free, use gluten-free brown rice penne)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1.5 lb chicken breast (1 large chicken breast)
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1 ¼ cups Parmesan cheese, or Mozzarella cheese, or Monterey Jack cheese shredded
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook broccoli in boiling water for 5 minutes, drain well. Cut into small florets.
- Cook pasta al dente, drain.
- In a large skillet heat olive oil and butter on medium-high heat (until hot but not smoking) and saute chicken breast (seasoned generously with salt and pepper on both sides) for about 5 minutes on each side. Remove the skillet from heat, cover with the lid, and let the chicken rest, off heat, covered, until the chicken is no longer pink in the center and is completely cooked through. Remove chicken from the pan. Cut chicken into bite-size pieces.
- Add minced garlic to the same skillet and cook it in chicken juices and oil remaining in the pan, scraping up the chicken bits from the bottom of the pan, on medium heat for about 30 seconds until garlic is fragrant, making sure to avoid burning. Add cooked and sliced broccoli and mix in with garlic. Remove from the pan.
- To make the creamy sauce, in the same skillet heat up 1 cup of heavy cream until it boils. Immediately add the cheese and stir until melted and creamy. Reduce heat to medium-low, and slowly, in small portions, add milk, constantly stirring, simmering, until a creamy consistency is reached.
- Add cooked pasta to the creamy sauce, then add broccoli. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Top with sliced, cooked chicken.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer:
The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. It should not be used as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
tasted awful cheese did not melt only congealed at bottom of pan
sauce was thin just like milk, not enough broccoli to carry the meal
Made this just a little differently and very fast. I boiled the water then added my Penne Pasta, after 9 minutes I added my broccoli florets. Meanwhile, I added some olive oil and butter to a cast-iron skillet, warmed up my chicken, then added the garlic, Tossed the chicken and garlic added some bottled Alfredo sauce and grated some Jack Cheese over the Alfredo and chicken...when the sauce was warmed I added the cheese over low heat and let it melt....drained the pasta and broccoli then added the chicken and sauce....salt & pepper WOW this was fast and amazing. ,
I had a whole roasted chicken I de bones and removed the skin.
Shirley, so glad you tried this recipe and enjoyed it! Thank you for sharing your feedback!
This takes a lot longer than 45 mins, even with my husband helping. The sauce is the most time consuming. However it’s well worth the time to make, very delicious, very simple and very affordable!
Thank you for such a positive comment! So glad you enjoyed this recipe. 🙂
I made this last night! It was simply and perfect!! Thank you!!!
You are very welcome! I am glad you enjoyed this recipe!
Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes, you can!
5 stars household items easy and fast to make and it tastes amazing!
Thank you! Happy to hear you liked it!
Can you make this in the instant pot?
Absolutely delicious! Made a few little tweaks to make it easier: chopped the broccoli and chicken before cooking. That’s it!
Also, very fun to try out different cheeses for the Alfredo sauce! Have made it twice and the sauce keeps changing 🙂
I am so glad you liked this recipe! Thank you for such a great comment!
Great recipe. Easy, inexpensive and delicious. I tenderized the chicken and cooked it on the grill. It's a keeper.
So glad you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you for your wonderful comment!
Where can I find heavy cream? I have used heavy whipping cream in the past for this recipe because I can't find regular heavy whipping cream in any store near me. I have even checked Google and nothing.
You can use either heavy whipping cream or heavy cream.
looks so amazing - this pasta looks delicious!
Thank you!
This will be my second time making this dish and my family and I are in love with it! Very quick and easy to make. Thanks!
You are very welcome! So happy you have been enjoying this recipe!
I love this recipe! This is my favorite alfredo sauce. I've made it three times now. 1, because it's versatile (I'll add Italian chicken sausage or chicken strips) and 2, because my picky-ass 6 year old gobbles it up. ❤
Ashley, I am so glad you've been enjoying this recipe and made it 3 times! 🙂
Made exactly as described and the garlic flavours were overpowering. I love garlic but not when that’s all I can taste! I would recommend halfing the amount they state at least.
Hi, I’m wanting to try this out but needing to make a bigger a bigger serving.( family of 6)
How much milk or cream should I use?
You can just double the whole recipe and then refrigerate the leftovers.