Chicken and Broccoli Pasta brings saucy shells, tender broccoli, and juicy chicken together in a rich garlic-butter Alfredo. Fast, straightforward, and totally crave-worthy.
For a vegetarian version, check out my quick and straightforward Broccoli Pasta.
author’s note
The Easiest Way to Get Your Kids to Eat Broccoli!
If you’ve spent time with a 2-year-old, you know getting them to eat vegetables is a struggle. My son is currently refusing anything green, so I had to get creative to find a way to get him to eat broccoli.
I’m convinced most kids can be convinced with the right creamy, flavorful sauce. That’s what I aimed for here. And it worked. All my kids ate a good amount of broccoli and we made it through dinner without anyone complaining. Major win.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Why It Matters | Reader-Tested Swap |
|---|---|---|
| Medium Shells | Cup-shaped pasta hugs the sauce. | Rotini, penne, or farfalle hold sauce just as well. |
| Broccoli | Adds color, crunch, and fiber. | Frozen broccoli thawed & chopped work too; toss in 1 min before draining pasta. |
| Chicken Breasts | Lean protein that cooks fast. | Chicken thighs for richer flavor; cooked rotisserie chicken for speed. |
| Unsalted Butter | Controls salt level in sauce. | Half butter/half olive oil for lighter flavor. |
| Heavy Cream | Silky Alfredo texture. | Evaporated milk or half-and-half for lighter option. |
| Parmesan + Asiago | Sharp, cheesy flavor. | All-Parmesan in a pinch. |
How To Make Chicken And Broccoli Pasta
The full recipe is below, but here are some tips while you make it:
- Boil and Cook Broccoli: Chop broccoli into small bits so it cooks quickly and blends in well (even picky eaters might eat it).
- Sear Chicken: Press chicken into the pan so it gets a nice golden edge.
- Make Sauce: Grate cheese yourself. It melts easier and makes the sauce creamy.
- Mix It All Together: Stir gently with tongs or a rubber spatula to keep the sauce creamy.
- Finish & Serve: A quick squeeze of lemon makes the whole dish pop with flavor.
Quick Tip
Sauce too thick? mix in a tablespoon of warm broth at a time until silky.
Too thin? Sprinkle 1 tsp extra Parm, simmer 30 sec.
Featured Comment
“My family and It is satisfying to this recipe. We repeatedly use the seasonings in this recipe for chicken alone. It’s just soo good.”
– Aaron
Variations
Chicken And Broccoli Pasta Variations
- Cheesecake Factory-style: This recipe is already pretty similar! To get even closer to their version, add a diced Roma tomato, swap the shells for rigatoni, and crush croutons on top before serving.
- Lighter version: Try this lightened-up Alfredo with broth and low-fat milk, or this veggie pasta with a creamy no-dairy sauce.
- Make it a pasta bake: Swap in this Chicken Tortellini Bake for a baked twist.
More Restaurant-Worthy Pasta Dishes:
Pasta And Pizza
Creamy Beef and Shells
Pasta And Pizza
Butternut Squash Pasta
Dinner
Zucchini Squash Pasta
Pasta And Pizza
Chicken Orzo Recipe (One Pot!)
