Chicken Broccoli Alfredo
A comforting and creamy Chicken Broccoli Alfredo recipe featuring tender chicken, vibrant broccoli, and a luscious homemade Alfredo sauce. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or special occasions, this dish combines simple ingredients to create a rich, satisfying meal that’s family-friendly and nutritious.
- Author: Lucas
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Protein
- 1 lb chicken breasts or thighs, sliced into strips or cubes
Vegetables
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
Carbohydrates
- 8 oz pasta (fettuccine, penne, or your favorite), cooked al dente
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Prepare the Ingredients: Chop the broccoli into bite-sized florets and mince the garlic. Slice the chicken into even strips or cubes to ensure quick and uniform cooking.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 1.5 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Steam the Broccoli: While the chicken cooks, steam the broccoli florets until tender-crisp to preserve their bright color and crunch.
- Make the Alfredo Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 1.5 tablespoons of butter and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Gradually stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, allowing it to melt and thicken the sauce until silky and smooth. Season with additional salt and pepper as needed, taking care to simmer gently to avoid breaking the sauce.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken and steamed broccoli to the skillet, tossing everything together until well coated with the creamy Alfredo sauce. Serve hot over your choice of cooked pasta. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese or fresh herbs like parsley or basil if desired.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for a smoother, richer sauce.
- Do not overcook the broccoli—keep it bright green and crunchy.
- Cook pasta al dente to maintain texture when combined with sauce.
- Simmer Alfredo sauce gently to prevent it from breaking or becoming grainy.
- Let cooked chicken rest briefly to retain juiciness before mixing with sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
Keywords: Chicken Broccoli Alfredo, creamy pasta, easy dinner, family meal, comforting recipe, Alfredo sauce, healthy pasta dish