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.
This recipe is absolutely delicious ! The proportions of the ingredients are perfect !! Onto the rotation list, thank you for sharing !
Yes. I added a little bit of milk and a dab of butter to my one serving size bowl and then microwave it for 30 seconds. Stir halfway through the reheating phase.
I know u said three types of cheese, but what type of cheese is best? Looks delicious. Thanks!
It did not work for me at all! The cheese just clumped up in a ball and never got creamy. Ended up dumping it in the trash and just making a regular cream sauce.
Love the simple ingredients and how it looks super healthy. Beautiful!
I’ve made it several times. Definitely my favorite chicken broccoli Alfredo recipe!
Michelle, I am so glad you've enjoyed this recipe! Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing such positive feedback! 🙂
I love this recipe! It is super good and I made it for my Nutrition project. My Dad and I made it tonight for dinner and my whole family thought that it was great!
Emma, I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your comment.
Can't wait to try it.
Enjoy! Hope you like it!
Has anyone made this day before and did it reheat well
When in doubt I always reheat in the microwave. Comes out great.
Yes, gentle microwave reheating works!
Made it! Loved it! Even my picky eater ate it and that was a HUGE shock to me!!
Was really good and I recommend. I think it would be better to steam the broccoli. All in all great
Call me Marie Calendars bc baby this was good my daughter and man loved it
Very good recipe, my family loved it!
Thick and creamy just the right balance of cream and cheese!
Thanks!
Darla
What can I use in place of heavy cream?
I’ve always wanted to make my own Alfredo sauce because I’m picky about it. This was delicious and simple! At first I thought the sauce wouldn’t get thick enough, but once I mixed the pasta, broccoli, and chicken in and let it cool for a couple minutes it was perfect! I’m not sure why some comments said the sauce took a very long time, I didn’t think so at all. Will definitely be making this again was a huge hit!