Description
Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo is a creamy, comforting dish that combines tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and rotini pasta coated in a rich Alfredo sauce. This recipe is simple enough for a weeknight dinner but elegant enough to impress guests. Follow this step-by-step guide to create this irresistible meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
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- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
Vegetables:
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- 12 oz broccoli florets
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- 2 tbsp fresh parsley leaves, chopped (for garnish)
Broth & Dairy:
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- ¾ cup chicken broth
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- ¾ cup milk
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- ¼ cup heavy cream
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- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
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- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
Pasta:
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- 8 oz rotini pasta
Seasonings & Oil:
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- ¼ tsp garlic powder
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- Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper as desired.
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- 1 tbsp olive oil
Thickener:
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- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
Instructions
1. Prepare the Pasta and Broccoli
- Prepare the Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the rotini pasta following the package directions.
- Add Broccoli: In the last 2 minutes of cooking the pasta, add the broccoli florets to the boiling water. Strain the pasta and broccoli, then set them aside.
2. Cook the Chicken
- Heat Oil: In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp of olive oil over medium heat.
- Season and Cook: Season the sliced chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Add them to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until fully cooked. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
3. Prepare the Alfredo Sauce
- Melt Butter: In the same skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat.
- Create a Roux: Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden.
- Add Liquids: Gradually pour in the chicken broth, milk, and heavy cream, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Incorporate Cheese: Stir in the Parmesan cheese and let the sauce thicken, about 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Combine Ingredients
- Mix Pasta and Broccoli: Add the cooked pasta and broccoli to the skillet with the Alfredo sauce, stirring to coat.
- Add Chicken: Slice the cooked chicken and gently mix it into the pasta and sauce.
5. Serve and Garnish
- Plate the Dish: Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- To achieve a creamy Alfredo sauce, whisk the liquids continuously while adding the Parmesan cheese.
- Ensure the chicken is thinly sliced to cook evenly and quickly.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for a smoother, richer sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stove-top
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo, Creamy Alfredo Pasta, Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli, Pasta with Alfredo Sauce, Italian Chicken Dinner