Irresistible Hen Broccoli Pasta

Tender crisp broccoli florets and savory hen are excellent collectively on this creamy, tacky Hen Broccoli Pasta. I like the textures and flavors on this tremendous quick meal. Neglect takeout, that is the sort of simple dinner I’m going to for my busiest weeknights.

Weeknight dinners are laborious, okay? Even now that my boys are older and may also help with the driving, the entire actions on our calendar can nonetheless make getting dinner on the desk a bit overwhelming some nights. Dinners like this simple pasta resolve the issue.

And, it’s an answer I’ve dialed in through the years, like with this Southwest chicken skillet, as a result of they only work.

Simple Hen Broccoli Pasta

I’ve a good variety of recipes that use pre-cooked hen. I like the best way that I could make a giant batch within the sluggish cooker to save lots of me time in entrance of the range. Nonetheless, a store-bought rotisserie hen will work simply as properly.

And, broccoli has been showing at my desk on repeat, just about ever since I discovered learn how to correctly cook dinner it. Tender crisp, folks! And since broccoli can also be my center son’s favourite vegetable, it’s included in our recipes often.

Substances and Substitutions

Pasta – I take advantage of half a pound of bucatini for this hen broccoli pasta. However, spaghetti, and even linguini noodles would additionally work.

Broccoli – I take advantage of a lot of broccoli (6 cups!). However, as a result of the florets are diced small, they only incorporate all through the sauce.

Hen – I like to make use of pre-cooked chicken. However, for this recipe I used a rotisserie hen from the shop.

Butter – I at all times use salted butter, until in any other case famous. On this recipe, I take advantage of half a stick.

Recent Garlic – I take advantage of 3 cloves of garlic, until I’m craving extra. Some days, I simply can’t have an excessive amount of garlic.

Hen Broth – I take advantage of 2 cups of hen broth on this recipe.

Heavy Cream – I solely use 1 cup of heavy cream on this recipe. If the pasta isn’t saucy sufficient, you can even add slightly of the pasta water.

Flour – I take advantage of slightly flour on this recipe to thicken the sauce. If gluten is a priority, you may swap in corn starch as an alternative, however you’ll solely want about half as a lot.

Seasonings – I at all times use kosher salt and freshly floor black pepper in my recipes. And, I strongly favor recent parsley to dried parsley. You’ll be able to style the distinction!

Cheese – Is it actually pasta if you happen to don’t prime it with shredded cheese? I like freshly shredded pecorino cheese with this pasta. However, parmesan works too.

Make Hen Broccoli Pasta

Boiling the Water: I set a big pot over excessive warmth on my range to warmth the water.

Cooking the Pasta: I add the pasta noodles to the boiling water with out breaking them, then I cook dinner them for about 8 minutes, stirring often, till completed.

Prepping the Greens: I peel and mince the garlic and cube the broccoli florets into tiny items.

Melting the Butter: As soon as the greens are prepped, I add half the butter to my massive skillet and soften it over medium warmth.

Including the Greens: I add the minced garlic and diced broccoli to the pan.

Sauteing the Greens: I give the broccoli and garlic a fast stir, then add water and canopy with a lid to cook dinner for 2-3 minutes, stirring often.

Including the Hen: I add within the cooked hen and toss to mix. Then, I switch the hen and greens to a bowl.

Make the Sauce

Beginning the Sauce: I begin the sauce by melting the remainder of the butter in the identical pan.

Whisking within the Flour: I sprinkle the flour over the butter after which whisk till it’s easy.

Including the Broth: I pour within the hen broth and proceed whisking till it has been totally integrated.

Growing the Warmth: I enhance the warmth to medium-high and convey to a simmer, stirring often.

Including the Cream: As quickly because it simmers, I add the cream and whisk all of it collectively.

Decreasing the Warmth: As quickly because the cream begins to bubble once more, I scale back the warmth to low.

Simmering the Sauce: I let the sauce slowly simmer at low warmth for 8-10 minutes, stirring often till it begins to thicken.

Placing It All Collectively

Drain the Pasta: I drain the bucatini with a colander into the sink.

Including the Pasta: I add the cooked pasta to the sauce as soon as it has thickened.

Including the Different Substances: I return the hen and greens to the pan, and toss the whole lot collectively in order that it’s evenly coated with sauce.

Topping the Pasta: I end the hen broccoli pasta by freshly shredding some pecorino cheese over it, after which sprinkling with finely chopped parsley leaves.

Seasoning: I add salt and pepper on the finish as a result of the cheese additionally has salt in it.

Serving Solutions

Each time I make this recipe, I wish to pair with one thing mild and recent like this cucumber tomato salad or a sweet kale vegetable salad. This offers steadiness within the meal between the recent veg and the creamy, hearty hen pasta. If I’m feeling it, I’ll additionally whip up some recent garlic herb bread to go along with it.

And, is there ever a foul day for a great dessert? Not at my home! I like ending this hen broccoli pasta with a skinny slice of this Hershey’s chocolate cake. It’s laborious to think about a greater observe to finish on, fairly than wealthy chocolate.

Make Forward & Storage

Make Forward: You are able to do a number of the prep for this recipe forward of time, however I don’t suggest making the entire dish beforehand. As a substitute, I prep the sauce with hen and greens, however don’t cook dinner the noodles till able to serve.

Retailer: I discover that this dinner retains properly within the fridge for as much as 3 days, if saved in an hermetic container. The sauce will thicken because it chills.

reheat: The important thing to reheating this meal? I add a splash of cream or milk and use low warmth to deliver it again as much as the specified temperature on the range. I attempt to keep away from utilizing the microwave as a result of it tends to interrupt the sauce into an oily mess.

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Often Requested Questions