Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
- 2 large chicken breasts, diced
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika (optional, for color)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
For the Sauce:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ cups heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for a kick)
Pasta and Veg:
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 2–3 cups broccoli florets
- Extra Parmesan, for serving
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
🔪 Instructions:
1.
Cook the Pasta and Broccoli
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add penne and cook according to package directions.
- In the last 2–3 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets to the boiling pasta water.
- Drain and set aside.
2.
Cook the Chicken
- Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken and sear until golden and cooked through (6–8 minutes).
- Add butter and stir to coat the chicken. Remove from pan and set aside.
3.
Make the Creamy Garlic Sauce
- In the same skillet (do not wipe clean), reduce heat to medium.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth and stir to deglaze the pan.
- Add cream and stir well. Simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Stir in Parmesan and red pepper flakes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Simmer for 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
4.
Combine Everything
- Add cooked pasta, broccoli, and chicken back into the skillet.
- Toss everything together until well coated in the creamy sauce.
- Heat for another 1–2 minutes until everything is hot.
5.
Serve
- Top with extra Parmesan and parsley if desired.
- Serve warm with crusty bread or a light side salad.
📝 Tips:
- You can substitute broccoli with spinach, asparagus, or peas.
- Want more cheese? Add shredded mozzarella when combining everything in the pan.
- Make it extra creamy by adding a splash of milk or more cream if the sauce gets too thick.