When everyone at the table goes back for seconds, you know dinner was a win, and this Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Pasta delivers every time. It's loaded with seasoned, juicy chicken, a rich, ultra-creamy cheddar sauce, and tender pasta, all ready in just 30 minutes.
If you love cheesy chicken dinners like this, you'll definitely want to try our cheesy chicken and rice casserole next.
Quick Summary
- Ready to Eat: 30 minutes
- Total Ingredients: Simple mix of 14 pantry staples + fresh ingredients
- Servings: 6
- Skill Level: Easy. One skillet, beginner-friendly steps
- Meal Prep Friendly: Yes, it reheats well and stays creamy for 3-4 days
Summarize and Save This Content On
We've made this chicken broccoli cheese pasta on repeat, especially on busy weeknights filled with kids' activities and everything else life throws at you. The first time we tested it, we kept it simple, but once we started seasoning the chicken and adding both milk and cream to the sauce, the dish completely changed. Now it's one of those dinners we know we can count on, something everyone will actually eat without complaints.
If you love easy, cheesy pasta dinners, you'll also want to try our crack chicken pasta and marry me chicken pasta for more family-friendly favorites.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This chicken and broccoli pasta comes together quickly, is packed with flavor, and makes busy family weeknights a little easier. Juicy, seasoned chicken, creamy milk-and-cream sauce, and fun farfalle pasta turn simple ingredients into a dinner everyone will actually eat.
- Ready in 30 minutes with minimal cleanup
- Rich, ultra-creamy sauce that coats every bite
- Kid-approved and flexible - easy to swap ingredients or pasta shapes
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts: Cut into even bite-sized pieces so they cook quickly and stay juicy.
- Cheddar cheese: Always use freshly grated cheese; pre-shredded cheese doesn't melt as smoothly and can make the sauce grainy.
- Whole milk + heavy cream: The milk keeps the sauce from being too heavy, while the cream gives it that rich, velvety texture, creating a creamy chicken broccoli pasta.
- Farfalle pasta: This pasta holds onto the sauce really well. You can swap with penne or rotini if needed.
- Broccoli florets: Parboiling keeps them bright and slightly crisp; overcooking can lead to mushy broccoli. You can also use frozen broccoli; there's no need to thaw it, but it may need a few minutes longer in the sauce. If you love broccoli, you'll also want to try our beef and broccoli recipe.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Protein swaps: Use a rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut, chicken thighs for extra richness, or try a turkey breast or cooked sausage for a different twist.
- Vegetarian version: Swap the for white beans or chickpeas and keep the creamy sauce for a satisfying meat-free meal.
- Pasta options: Farfalle is fun and holds the sauce well, but penne, rigatoni, or rotini are great alternatives. You can also turn this into a broccoli chicken pasta bake by transferring it to a baking dish, topping with extra cheese, and baking until bubbly and lightly golden.
- Veggie add-ins: Frozen peas, sun-dried tomatoes, or sautéed mushrooms can easily be stirred in at the end for extra texture and color.
- Add a little heat: A pinch of red pepper flakes in the sauce or a dash of smoked paprika on the chicken gives it a subtle kick without overwhelming kids.
How to Make Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Pasta
This chicken broccoli cheddar pasta is a quick, family-friendly dinner that comes together in about 30 minutes. It's creamy, comforting, and perfect for busy weeknights.
- Step 1: Season and cook the chicken. Toss the bite-sized chicken pieces with black pepper, paprika, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken until golden and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Cook the pasta and broccoli. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. At the same time, parboil the broccoli for 4-5 minutes so it stays bright and slightly crisp. Drain both and set aside.
- Step 3: Make the cheese sauce. In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat and sauté the garlic for 30 seconds. Slowly whisk in the milk and heavy cream until it begins to bubble. Remove from direct heat and gradually stir in the cheddar cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Step 4: Combine everything and serve. Add the cooked chicken, broccoli, and pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. If the sauce feels too thick, stir in a splash of reserved pasta water. Serve warm with our baked garlic knots on the side to soak up every last bit of the creamy sauce.
Expert Tips
- Cut Chicken Evenly: Keep the chicken pieces similar in size so they cook evenly and stay juicy instead of drying out.
- Build Flavor Early: Don't skip seasoning the chicken. That simple spice blend adds a layer of flavor you won't get by seasoning at the end.
- Keep the Sauce Smooth: Lower the heat or remove the pan from direct heat before adding the cheese to prevent a grainy or separated sauce. If it does start to look greasy, whisk in a splash of milk over low heat to bring it back together.
- Save Pasta Water: Before draining, reserve a little pasta water. A splash at the end helps loosen the sauce and makes it cling better to the pasta.
- Storage and Reheating: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When reheating, add a splash of milk and warm gently, stirring often, to bring the sauce back to life. Freezing isn't ideal since the sauce can separate.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve this cheesy chicken and broccoli pasta for a quick weeknight dinner with our homemade dinner rolls to soak up the creamy sauce.
- For a special family dinner or casual gathering, this pasta with chicken and broccoli pairs perfectly with our bacon-wrapped asparagus and a slice of caramel apple cake to finish the meal on a sweet note.
- This dish also works well for potlucks or feeding a crowd, especially alongside other comfort favorites like white cheddar mac and cheese.
Recipe FAQs
Yes and no! You can absolutely prep components ahead of time, but the full dish is best finished right before serving for the creamiest texture. To prep ahead, cook the chicken and make the sauce in advance, and store them separately in the fridge. When you're ready to serve, cook the pasta fresh and reheat the sauce gently, adding a splash of milk or broth to loosen it up if it's needed. Toss everything together just before serving so the pasta stays tender and the sauce stays smooth and creamy.
This usually happens if the cheese is added over heat that's too high. For the smoothest sauce, take the pan off the heat before adding the cheese and stir it in gradually.
Yes, this is one of those dinners that works for the whole family. The cheesy, mild flavor and fun pasta shape make it easy for picky eaters to enjoy.
More Delicious Chicken Pasta Recipes
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Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Pasta
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ cup butter
- 3 teaspoons garlic minced
- 1 cups whole milk
- 2 cup heavy cream
- 3 cups cheddar cheese grated
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 cups farfalle pasta
Instructions
- Add the chicken to a bowl, season with black pepper, onion powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Toss to coat.
- Parboil the broccoli for 4-5 minutes and boil a large pot of water and cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 5-7 minutes or until cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium, melt the butter, and saute the garlic for 30 seconds. Then, slowly whisk in milk and heavy cream until it starts to bubble. Continue to whisk and slowly add in cheddar cheese until melted.
- Add the cooked chicken, broccoli, and pasta into the skillet. Toss to coat in the sauce and enjoy!
Notes
- Cut the chicken into even pieces so it cooks evenly.
- Parboil broccoli just until bright and slightly tender to avoid mushiness.
- Remove the pan from the heat before adding cheese to prevent a grainy sauce.
- Reserve a little pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
Nutrition
*All nutrition information provided is automatically calculated and is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact numbers on your ingredients, I would recommend calculating them with your prefered nutrition calculator.
Ryan Allen
That cheesy sauce hit the sauce and this is a great and easy dinner idea.