Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta is the most simple dinner idea that can be easily turned into tasty lunch the next day. And the best part is that this one-pot meal reheats like a charm. Just add milk, more cream, or chicken broth.
2mediumchicken thighs, I used bone in but removed the skin, see notes
2cupsbroccoli, blanched
½tablespooncooking oil
1teaspoongarlic
½cupchicken or veggie broth
1cupheavy cream
⅓cupparmesan cheese, grated
salt and black pepper to taste
¼cupbrown onion, diced
2teaspoondried herbs, divided
Fresh parsley for serving, optional
INSTRUCTIONS
Cook the pasta in a large pot of water (salted) according to the package directions until cooked through. Rinse under cold water and set aside. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water for later.
Chicken. Wash and pat dry the chicken. Season with salt, black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of dried Italian herbs.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat add oil. Once the oil is hot and sizzling, add chicken thighs ‘’skin’’ side down, and cook these for 8 minutes untouched.
Flip these over and cook for additional 7-12 minutes or until the chicken's internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This takes time and time will vary if using boneless skinless thighs or breasts. I recommend placing the lid or splatter guard over the skillet as there will be a lot of oil everywhere. Set the chicken aside.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and wipe the skillet briefly with paper towels. Add a dash of cooking oil and 2 tablespoons of butter. Once melted cook the onions for 1-2 minutes until it starts to soften. Follow with garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Creamy sauce. Pour in the broth and simmer until it’s reduced in half. You can also use a rose or white wine here and let it evaporate almost entirely. Once reduced in half add the heavy cream and parmesan.
Take it to a boil and simmer on low until the sauce has thickened. The sauce is ready when it coats the back of a wooden spoon or spatula. Add in blanched broccoli florets and pasta.
Stir gently until all the ingredients are coated in sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta cooking water to thin it out. If too thin, you have not simmered it enough before adding the rest ingredients. The only option is to let it simmer on low until thickened slightly more. The pasta will absorb a lot of sauce once cooled.
Serve with more fresh herbs and grated parmesan on top.
VIDEO
NOTES
Chicken thighs - I used chicken thighs with bone which take longer time to cook. If you have boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs the cooking time will need to be adjusted to about 5 minutes per side (top and bottom).
When the pasta is ready, let it cool completely and then place it into an airtight container in your fridge for up to 3 days and in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
Make sure to season pasta while cooking generously with salt and pepper!
Add more herbs – fresh or dried dill, and basil will add a burst of flavor to the dish.
Blanch the broccoli. Take a medium saucepan/pot and fill it with water, enough to cover the broccoli later. Add salt and take it to a boil. Reduce the heat and lower the veggies in the water. Cook on medium heat for 3 minutes, remove the vegetables with kitchen tongs, and place them into ice-cold water. Once cooled drain and pat dry with a towel. That’s it!
The broccoli needs to be a little softened but still very crunchy. It all comes down to personal preference in the end, and if you like it soft simmer it for longer or add to sauce earlier to simmer extra minutes while the sauce thickens.