Description
A delightful medley of tender chicken, vibrant broccoli, and perfectly cooked pasta in a luscious lemon cream sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz pasta (fettuccine or penne)
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 lb chicken breast, diced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Once it’s boiling, add your pasta and cook it according to the package instructions until al dente.
- Prepare the Broccoli: While the pasta is cooking, grab a separate pot and bring some water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and blanch them for about 2–3 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Toss in the diced chicken and cook for about 5–7 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Add Garlic: Once the chicken is nearly done, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Bring on the Cream: Pour in the heavy cream, stirring gently to combine. Let this simmer for 3–4 minutes.
- Incorporate the Broth and Lemon: Stir in the chicken broth along with the lemon juice and zest. Let this simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Combine with Pasta: Add the cooked pasta and blanched broccoli to the skillet, tossing everything together to coat with the sauce.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste and adjust seasonings with salt, pepper, or extra lemon juice if desired.
Notes
Feel free to experiment with different pasta shapes or protein options like shrimp or tofu, and add other vegetables like bell peppers or spinach for added nutrients.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: chicken pasta, broccoli, lemon cream sauce, Italian recipes, comfort food