One Pot Chicken and Broccoli Pasta

One Pot Chicken and Broccoli Pasta features a creamy sauce blended with three kinds of cheese, broccoli, and chicken. The delicious textures and flavors make this a family favorite every single time. With the robust flavors of garlic and onion, this recipe is a game changer and the perfect meal for a busy weeknight.

Our One Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta is another easy and fast dish that tastes great. To keep the trend going, why not try our One Pan Taco Mac and Cheese made with taco seasoning and cheddar cheese? For another way to cook chicken, our savory Almond Chicken made with veggies and toasted almonds is perfect. 

This is one of the best broccoli pasta recipes I have tried with its creamy sauce and tender chicken. You could alter it in many different ways to decide which is the best, your variety or the original recipe. Next time, make it exactly how you and your family like it best. 

If you want hearty comfort foods and a hot meal, try one of our creamy pasta bakes or casserole recipes. One-pot meals are the perfect weeknight meal and this one only takes about 20 minutes of cooking. You could also try it with whole wheat pasta or use rotisserie chicken as well. 

Ingredients needed:

Scroll down to the bottom of the page to get the exact measurements from our printable recipe card. Here are the main ingredients you need for this complete meal:

• Olive oil
• Chicken breasts: Skinless and boneless is best.
• Salt: Divided.
• Black pepper: Divided.
• Garlic cloves: Garlic powder will work too.
• Dried basil or dried oregano: Dried herbs are optional, but you can add some for extra flavor.
• Small onion: Sliced.
• Broccoli florets
• Milk: Vitamin D works best. 
• Heavy cream: Or Greek yogurt. 
• Pasta: We used shell pasta, but you can use your favorite. 
• Ricotta cheese
• Parmesan cheese: Shredded. 
• Mozzarella cheese: Shredded. 

How to make one pot chicken and broccoli pasta recipe?

1. Cook chicken: First, use a large pot over medium heat to cook chicken in the oil and season it with half of the salt and pepper. 
2. Set aside: After it is cooked, remove it from the pan and put it into a small bowl or your pasta dish. 
3. Add: Next, add the broccoli, garlic, and onion to the pot before covering and cooking for two minutes. Season again with the remainder of the salt and pepper. 
4. Mix: Then, pour in the milk and cream and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring often to prevent scorching. 
5. Boil: When it starts boiling, add and cook pasta for 10 minutes, stirring often. You want to cook it to al dente, so it does not get mushy when you heat up the other ingredients. 
6. Cheese: Afterward, add in the ricotta, parmesan, and mozzarella and keep stirring it until the cheese sauce is smooth. 
7. Serve: Finally, stir in the chicken and serve with your favorite side dish or salad. 

Recipe variations:

• Chicken broth: One great addition to this family favorite is to add chicken broth. 
• Add some heat: Turn this easy broccoli pasta bake spicy by adding some red pepper flakes. 
• Lemon zest: For a citrus zing, add some lemon zest or lemon juice. 
• Thicken: Make it thicker with one or two tablespoons of all purpose flour.
• More cheese: Add cheddar cheese to the sauce for a more robust flavor. 
• Chicken thighs: If you prefer dark meat, use chicken thighs instead of breasts.
• Add veggies: You do not have to stop at broccoli. Feel free to add carrots, zucchini, or whatever veggies you like.

How to serve:

This is one of those easy meals to enjoy on a busy weeknight with the whole family. Just mix it all in a large pot or cook it in your favorite baking dish. Even picky eaters will love this. Here are some other serving suggestions:

• If you have leftovers, add them to this crispy air fryer broccoli for a heartier meal. 
• Enjoy this detox salad with avocado dressing on the side. 
• Try our fried apples for a sweet and tangy dessert. 
• Alternatively, you can also add any leftovers to this bacon peas salad. 
• Try this with a scoop of guacamole or sour cream on top.

Frequently asked questions

What does al dente mean?

Al dente actually means “to the tooth” in Italian because it is cooked to where it feels the best when you bite into it.

You want it to have a little bit of a bite when you chew it, so it does not get overcooked when you use it in sauces or other recipes. 

What kind of pasta should I use? 

You could really use any kind of pasta for this skillet supper. I used shells because they hold the most sauce, but you can use any kind you like.

Some of the most popular noodles for this easy dinner include ziti, farfalle (bowtie pasta), rigatoni, and macaroni. 

Is creamy chicken broccoli pasta healthy?

You could actually make it as healthy as you like. If you use our recipe exactly, you will get 37 grams of protein, seven grams of fiber, and a high number of vitamins A, C, and calcium.

However, it does have 514 calories per serving with a fat content of 27 grams and nine grams of sugar. 

How to store leftovers:

1. Store: This dish rarely has any leftovers but if you do, you can put them in an airtight dish or container. They will remain fresh for about three days. 
2. Freeze: It is rare for anyone to have any leftovers after a few days. But if you made too much, use the same airtight dish to freeze it for up to 90 days. 
3. Thaw: Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving for best results. 
4. Reheat: You can reheat this one-skillet meal in the microwave or on the stove until it is heated through. 

Recipe tips:

• You can eliminate much of the work and ingredients by substituting the cream sauce with alfredo sauce. 
• Chicken has to be 165 degrees F to be properly done. 
• Do not dump your pasta water down the drain. You can use it for many things like making broth, adding flavor to bread, or watering your plants. 
• If you use chicken broth instead of cream, add extra cheese to thicken it up.
• Also, add the cheese slowly instead of all at once for a better texture. 

5 from 6 votes

Print

One Pot Chicken and Broccoli Pasta

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

25 mins

Total Time

30 mins

 

One Pot Chicken and Broccoli Pasta features a creamy sauce blended with three kinds of cheese, broccoli, and chicken.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: One Pot Chicken and Broccoli Pasta

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 837 kcal

Author: Catalina Castravet

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 lbs chicken breast cubed
• 1 teaspoon salt divided
• Ground black epper to taste
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 small onion diced
• 1 medium head broccoli chopped
• 4 cups milk
• 2 cups cream
• 1 lb small shell pasta bow tie or elbow macaroni work as weell
• 8 oz ricotta
• 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

1. Place a large pot or deep cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat and add the oil.

2. Once the oil is hot, the chicken, season it with some of the salt and pepper, and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove it from the pan and set it aside.

3. After that, add the onion, garlic, and broccoli to the pot, cover, and cook with the lid on for 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and cook until the onions are soft.

4. Pour in milk, cream and bring to a boil. Stirring periodically so the bottom does not burn.

5. Once the mixture is bubbling, add pasta, cook, and stir frequently until it reaches your desired doneness, approximately 10 minutes at medium heat.

6. Add in the ricotta cheese and stir to melt. Followed by Parmesan and mozzarella.

7. Return the chicken to the pan and stir until well incorporated.

8. Garnish with parsley and serve.

Nutrition Facts

One Pot Chicken and Broccoli Pasta

Amount Per Serving

Calories 837 Calories from Fat 486

% Daily Value*

Fat 54g83%

Saturated Fat 29g181%

Trans Fat 1g

Cholesterol 254mg85%

Sodium 926mg40%

Potassium 1408mg40%

Carbohydrates 77g26%

Fiber 5g21%

Sugar 13g14%

Protein 61g122%

Vitamin A 2403IU48%

Vitamin C 94mg114%

Calcium 537mg54%

Iron 3mg17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.