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Cheesy Garlic Chicken and Broccoli Pasta

A quick and comforting weeknight dinner featuring cheesy garlic chicken and fresh broccoli tossed with pasta.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 600
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Vegetables
  • 12 oz penne or rotini pasta
  • 4 cups broccoli florets Fresh or pre-cut
Chicken
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast (cut into bite-sized pieces)
Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced) Fresh for bigger flavor
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk Use whole milk for creamier sauce
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese Shred your own for meltability
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions.
  2. For the last 2 minutes, toss in the broccoli to blanch.
  3. Drain pasta and broccoli, and set aside.
Cooking
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Add chicken in a single layer and cook until golden and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes.
  3. Lower the heat slightly and add minced garlic. Stir for 30 seconds.
  4. Sprinkle in the flour, stirring to coat chicken and garlic to form a paste.
  5. Slowly whisk in milk and chicken broth until smooth. Simmer the sauce until thickened, about 3–4 minutes.
  6. Add salt, pepper, cheddar, and Parmesan; stir until cheese melts into a glossy sauce.
  7. Return pasta and broccoli to the skillet and toss gently. Serve hot.

Notes

Use pre-cut broccoli to save time. For extra creaminess, stir in additional cheddar if sauce seems thin. Can be served with bread crumbs on top or as meal prep with roasted tomatoes.