Creamy Garlic Chicken and Broccoli Pasta

Creamy Garlic Chicken and Broccoli Pasta

Ingredients:

– 300g penne pasta

– 2 tablespoons olive oil

– 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

– 1 teaspoon salt

– ½ teaspoon black pepper

– 1 teaspoon garlic powder

– 2 cups broccoli florets

– 3 cloves garlic, minced

– 1 cup heavy cream

– ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

– 1 teaspoon dried oregano

– ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

– ½ cup pasta water (reserved)

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. In the last 2 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets to the boiling water. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.

2. In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, and cook until golden brown and fully cooked, about 6-7 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.

3. In the same pan, add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan cheese, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes if using. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.

4. Add the cooked pasta, broccoli, and chicken back into the pan, tossing everything together. If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water to reach the desired consistency.

5. Let everything simmer for another 2 minutes, ensuring the pasta is well coated with the creamy garlic sauce.

6. Remove from heat, serve warm, and enjoy!

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes

Kcal: 480 per serving | Servings: 4