Description
Enjoy a comforting bowl of creamy Broccoli Chicken Pasta Swirls, featuring tender rotini pasta, vibrant broccoli, and juicy chicken in a rich Parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (225 g) of rotini pasta
- 2 cups of broccoli florets
- 1 lb (450 g) of boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup of heavy cream
- 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Once boiling, add the rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions (about 8-10 minutes) until al dente.
- About 3 minutes before the pasta is done, add the broccoli florets to the pot to blanch them.
- Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the rest. Set the pasta and broccoli aside in a large bowl.
- While the pasta and broccoli are cooking, cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces.
- Season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for about 5-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Lower the heat to medium and pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine with the chicken and garlic.
- Let the cream simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly, stirring occasionally.
- Gradually add the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until melted and smooth. Add reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
- Add the cooked pasta and broccoli to the skillet with the creamy chicken sauce.
- Gently toss until well coated. Add more reserved pasta water if needed for creaminess.
- Remove the skillet from heat and plate the Broccoli Chicken Pasta Swirls.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
- Serve with garlic bread or a fresh salad for a complete meal!
Notes
- Feel free to add more vegetables like bell peppers or spinach for extra nutrition.
- This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated, but the pasta may absorb some sauce, so consider adding a splash of cream or pasta water when reheating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes