Chicken and broccoli alfredo is a classic Italian-American dish that has become a popular favorite in many households. This delicious and creamy pasta dish is made with tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and a rich Alfredo sauce that will have your taste buds dancing with delight.
How To Make:
To make chicken and broccoli alfredo, you'll start by cooking your pasta until it's al dente. While the pasta is cooking, you'll want to season your chicken with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices, then cook it in a separate pan until it's browned on the outside and cooked through.
Once your chicken is cooked, you'll want to set it aside and start cooking your broccoli. To prepare the broccoli, you'll need to wash and chop it into bite-sized pieces. Then, add it to a pan with some olive oil and cook until it's tender but still slightly crisp.
While your broccoli is cooking, you can start preparing the Alfredo sauce. To make the sauce, you'll need butter, heavy cream, garlic, parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper to taste. Melt the butter in a saucepan, then add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant. After that, add the heavy cream and cook the mixture. Once the cream has started to simmer, gradually whisk in the parmesan cheese until it's fully melted and incorporated into the sauce. Finally, add salt and pepper to taste.
Once your sauce is ready, you can combine all of the ingredients together. Add the cooked pasta to the pan with the chicken and broccoli, then pour the Alfredo sauce over the top. Toss everything together until the pasta is coated in the sauce and the chicken and broccoli are evenly distributed throughout.
Tips and Variations:
Tips:
For the best flavor, you can take freshly grated Parmesan.
Cook the broccoli until it is just tender to avoid overcooking.
For a creamier sauce, use heavy cream instead of milk.
Reserve some of the pasta cooking water to add to the sauce if it becomes too thick.
Season the chicken with salt and pepper before cooking for added flavor.
Use a mix of white and dark meat chicken for a more complex flavor.
Variations:
Vegetarians should omit the chicken and use vegetarian broth for the latter.
Shrimp: Replace the chicken with shrimp for a seafood twist.
Spinach: Add spinach to the dish for extra nutrients and flavor.
Mushroom: Sauté some mushrooms and add them to the sauce for a rich, earthy flavor.
Pesto: Add a dollop of pesto to the Alfredo sauce for a flavorful twist.
Lemon: Add a squeeze of lemon juice to the sauce for a bright, tangy flavor.
Whole Wheat: Use whole wheat pasta for added fiber and nutrition.
Alfredo Casserole: Mix everything together in a casserole dish, top with breadcrumbs and bake for a delicious twist on the classic dish.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound fettuccine pasta
- chicken breasts that have been cut into bite-sized pieces and weigh one pound.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 head of broccoli, chopped into small florets
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Pasta should be prepared according to the package directions until it is al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Chicken and olive oil should be added to the pan. Sauté the chicken until it is thoroughly cooked and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes, tossing once or twice.
The pan should be filled with chicken and olive oil. and continue to fry for a further 30 seconds until aromatic.
Chicken and olive oil should be added to the pan. and stir to combine with the chicken and garlic. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the broccoli is bright green and slightly tender.
Pour the heavy cream into the pan and stir well to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 5-7 minutes until it begins to thicken slightly.
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese after adding it to the pan. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the chicken and broccoli. Toss the pasta with the Alfredo sauce until it is well coated.
Serve the Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo hot, topped with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.