Description
Looking for an easy dinner idea that’s creamy, cheesy, and full of flavor? This Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Pasta is the answer. Packed with juicy chicken, tender pasta shells, and vibrant broccoli, it’s all wrapped up in a silky homemade cheese sauce. Ideal for busy weeknights, cozy dinners, or whenever you need a comforting meal in under 30 minutes. It’s a perfect blend of a quick dinner, healthy-ish comfort food, and family-friendly recipe that you’ll want to make again and again. Whether you’re after a quick weeknight dinner, easy pasta recipe, or fresh food ideas, this dish hits the mark every time.
Ingredients
2 cups shell pasta
2 cups cooked chicken breast, chopped or shredded
2 cups broccoli florets, steamed or blanched
1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
2 cups milk or half-and-half
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Optional: red pepper flakes or paprika to taste
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the shell pasta until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2. While the pasta cooks, steam or blanch the broccoli florets until tender but still vibrant green, about 3–4 minutes. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux.
4. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly until the mixture thickens, about 3–5 minutes.
5. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cheddar and parmesan until melted and smooth. Season with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
6. Add the chicken and broccoli to the cheese sauce and stir until everything is coated and warmed through.
7. Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet, mixing well. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot with extra parmesan or red pepper flakes on top if desired.
Notes
This pasta is best served immediately while the cheese sauce is hot and creamy.
For extra flavor, use a mix of sharp cheddar and smoked gouda.
To save time, use rotisserie chicken and pre-steamed broccoli.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1¼ cups
- Calories: 530
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: cheesy pasta, chicken broccoli pasta, quick dinner, easy recipe, comfort food