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A plate of chicken and broccoli pasta with grated parmesan cheese on top.

Healthy-ish chicken and broccoli pasta

A healthy-ish version of creamy chicken and broccoli pasta! Loaded with lots of chicken breasts and broccoli but light on the cream. Takes just under 30 minutes to make, perfect week night dinner!
5 from 6 votes
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
Servings: 5 people
Calories: 486kcal

Ingredients

  • 400 g / 14 oz chicken breast cut into strips (about 2 breasts)
  • 300 g / 10 oz broccoli cut into small florets (about 1 large head)
  • 300 g / 10 oz fusilli pasta aka spiral pasta
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion brown, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ cup chicken stock vegetable stock is fine too
  • 1 cup thickened/heavy cream (note 1)
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • parmesan cheese to serve freshly grated

Instructions

  • Cook pasta according to packet instructions. Season the water with salt (about 1 tbsp) prior to adding pasta in.
  • Whilst pasta is cooking, quarter the whole head of broccoli and steam/boil in a small pot, lid on. Cook for 2 minutes. (note 2)
  • Once broccoli is cooked, drain and cut into small, bite-sized florets. Set aside.
  • In a large skillet/pan, saute onions and garlic with olive oil on medium heat until soft and fragrant.
  • Add chicken strips and saute for 2 minutes on high. Browning the chicken will add flavour to the overall dish.
  • Now add broccoli florets, chicken stock, cream, salt and pepper. Bring up to boil.
  • Turn heat down to medium and add in cooked pasta. Thoroughly mix and toss for 4 minutes or until majority of the creamy sauce has been absorbed by the pasta.
  • Serve with freshly grated parmesan cheese.

Notes

Note 1.Thickened/heavy cream provides a thick consistency which is perfect for this pasta! Single cream/pouring cream is okay too but it will just be a little runnier. If you like a little tang to this pasta, squeeze in some lemon juice (about 1 tsp) or use creme fraiche instead of thickened/heavy cream.
Note 2. Steam/boil broccoli essentially half steam and half boil the broccoli by using enough water so that it only reaches the broccoli halfway. Only put broccoli in once the water is boiling. Like pasta, season the water with some salt to avoid bland tasting broccoli!
Note 3. Chicken breast substitute can swap chicken breasts out for chicken tenderloins or thigh meats. 
Note 4. Other pasta shape recommendations this pasta dish works brilliantly with spiral (fusilli) pasta. You can use other pasta shapes you like, such as linguine, shell, penne, bow tie and etc. 
Nutritional value below is for 1 serving. Sodium level excluded as the amount of salt added is dependent on individual taste and preferences. 
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Nutrition

Calories: 486kcal | Carbohydrates: 49.3g | Protein: 29.7g | Fat: 19.6g | Saturated Fat: 7.9g | Cholesterol: 89mg | Potassium: 537mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3.4g | Calcium: 169mg | Iron: 3mg