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. Overlook takeout, that is the type of straightforward dinner I am going to for my busiest weeknights.

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

Weeknight dinners are exhausting, okay? Even now that my boys are older and can assist 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 clear up the issue.

And, it’s an answer I’ve dialed in over time, like with this Southwest chicken skillet, as a result of they only 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 an enormous batch within the sluggish cooker to save lots of me time in entrance of the range. Nonetheless, a store-bought rotisserie hen will work simply as nicely.

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

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

Elements and Substitutions

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

Broccoli – I take advantage of a lot of broccoli (6 cups!). However, as a result of the florets are diced small, they only 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, until in any other case famous. On this recipe, I take advantage of half a stick.

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

Hen Broth – I take advantage of 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 too can add slightly of the pasta water.

Flour – I take advantage of slightly flour on this recipe to thicken the sauce. If gluten is a priority, you may swap in corn starch as a substitute, 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 favor contemporary parsley to dried parsley. You’ll be able to style the distinction!

Cheese – Is it actually pasta for those who don’t prime 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

The way 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 cook dinner them for about 8 minutes, stirring often, 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 cook dinner for 2-3 minutes, stirring often.

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

The way 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 easy.

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

Growing the Warmth: I improve the warmth to medium-high and convey to a simmer, stirring often.

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 cut back the warmth to low.

Simmering the Sauce: I let the sauce slowly simmer at low warmth for 8-10 minutes, stirring often 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 the whole lot 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

Skilled 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 constructing a sauce like this with butter and flour.

I’ve realized to let the flour and butter cook dinner lengthy sufficient to lose the style of flour. Then, when the broth and cream are added, it would thicken into the silky and easy 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 slightly smaller than you assume they need to be. Smaller items make it simpler to get all of the substances in each chunk.

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

creamy pasta with chicken and broccoli in stainless skillet

Serving Ideas

Every time I make this recipe, I wish to pair with one thing gentle and contemporary like this cucumber tomato salad or a sweet kale vegetable salad. This offers steadiness 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 along with it.

And, is there ever a nasty 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 exhausting to think about a greater observe to finish on, slightly 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 suggest making the entire dish beforehand. As an alternative, I prep the sauce with hen and greens, however don’t cook dinner the noodles till able to serve.

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

The way 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

Incessantly Requested Questions

Why is my pasta sauce runny?

When you’ve adopted the directions, then likelihood is good you nailed it. The sauce will thicken to consistency you need while you let it cool sufficient to eat!

Can I take advantage of frozen broccoli?

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

What does “tender-crisp” truly imply?

One of the best ways that I can clarify it’s that the broccoli ought to be shiny inexperienced, and simply pierced with a fork. However, after I chew it, it nonetheless has a slight chunk. If it’s mushy, you went too far. If it’s nonetheless exhausting, give it one other minute.

How do I do know when the roux is prepared?

I all the time take note of the slight coloration shift from yellow to white, and the aroma change. It ought to odor 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 keeping 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 often. Then, add the hen, toss to mix, and switch the whole lot 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, improve the warmth to medium-high and convey to a simmer. Simmer for 2 minutes, then add the cream.
As quickly because it simmers once more, cut back warmth to low. Let it simmer on low, stirring consistently 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.