This Chicken and Broccoli Pasta has every flavor element incorporated into this delicious cream sauce, including butter, white wine, garlic, lemon, Asiago and Parmesan cheese, and the best seasonings and flavor enhancers. You won’t want to put your fork down!
Chicken and Broccoli Pasta
It’s pretty hard to beat the layers of flavor in this creamy pasta dish. First we season chicken with lemon pepper seasoning and sear it to golden perfection, which leaves fond (i.e. flavor!) in the pot that’s deglazed with white wine, (or chicken broth if needed). From there, we add butter and garlic and create a savory cream sauce with Parmesan and Asiago cheese. A little fresh lemon juice is stirred in at the end for the perfect finishing touch.
This dish has everything you need for a complete meal that your family will want on repeat. (Feel free to serve it with a side of garlic bread with cheese!)
How to Make It
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Season the chicken with lemon pepper seasoning and sear it in olive oil until golden. Set aside.
Deglaze the pot with white wine and let it reduce by half. Add the butter and the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes.
Add the chicken broth and half and half in splashes, stirring continuously. Add the hot sauce and seasonings. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer while you boil the pasta to al dente. Add the broccoli to the boiling pasta water during the last 4 minutes. Drain.
Reduce heat to low and stir the Asiago and Parmesan cheese into the sauce. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice, Add the pasta, broccoli, and chicken and stir to combine.
Pro Tips
- Grate the cheese from a wedge and avoid using packaged grated cheese. It will melt and taste much better. I use Belgioioso Parmesan and Asiago cheese.
- Make sure the base of the sauce isn’t too hot when the cheese is added, or the dairy can separate and result in a grainy consistency.
- White Wine: Dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, or Pinot Grigio are best in this recipe and pair well with lemon. Chicken Broth may be used if you don’t cook with wine.
- The hot sauce is a subtle flavor enhancer and doesn’t make this spicy. I use Frank’s Hot Sauce. The mustard powder is also a flavor enhancer that can’t be tasted outright.
- Frozen broccoli may be used instead of fresh, it’s already blanched so you may want to give it 3 minutes of cooking time instead of 4.
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice if at all possible as it has more flavor than bottled lemon juice.
- Make sure the heat is off when you add the lemon juice at the end. Add it slowly and stir in continuously to ensure it doesn’t cause the cream to curdle.
- Fresh garlic minced from cloves tastes much better than jarred garlic.
Storage
- Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Leftovers do reheat well.
- I find that reheating in a makeshift double boiler is the best way to restore it back to it’s original consistency.
Tools For This Recipe
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- 3-Quart Stainless Steel Sauté Pan– The same size as pictured in this recipe.
- Cheese Grater– Always shred your cheese from a block for soups and sauces, it melts and tastes much better than packaged shredded cheese. I use Belgioioso parmesan.
- Pasta Strainer– I have this one and love it.
- Measuring Spoons– I have these magnetic ones which stay nice and organized in my utensil drawer.
- Pinch Bowls– for measuring out seasonings ahead of time.
- Redmond Real Salt Lemon Pepper Seasoning– my preferred brand for seasoning the chicken.
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Chicken and Broccoli Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 large boneless skinless chicken breast
- Lemon pepper seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup dry white wine, see notes
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 ¼ cups half and half
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 2 ½ cups broccoli florets
- ½ cup Parmesan
- ½ cup Asiago
- ½ lb. Penne
- 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasonings
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- Prep Work: Combine the seasoning ingredients and set aside. I recommend that you measure out the remaining ingredients as well, the recipe will be a breeze from there!
- Cut the chicken into ¾-inch pieces and season it in Lemon Pepper Seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook on each side for 2-3 minutes, until a brown crust has developed. Remove and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted pasta water to a boil while you begin to prepare the sauce as outlined below.
- Add the white wine to the same pot that you used to cook the chicken and set the heat to medium. Use a silicone spatula to “clean” the bottom of the pot. Let it reduce by half, about 4 minutes.
- Add the butter and garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring continuously.
- Add chicken broth in small splashes, stirring continuously. Add the half and half in the same manner, then add the hot sauce and seasonings. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cover it partially.
- Boil the pasta to al dente according to package instructions. Add the broccoli to the boiling pasta water during the last 4 minutes, then drain.
- Reduce heat of sauce to low and slowly stir in the grated cheese.
- Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice. Add the pasta, broccoli, and the chicken and stir to combine. Taste and season with salt if desired. Serve!
Notes
- Grate the cheese from a wedge and avoid using packaged grated cheese. It will melt and taste much better. I use Belgioioso Parmesan and Asiago cheese.
- Make sure the base of the sauce isn't too hot when the cheese is added, or the dairy can separate and result in a grainy consistency.
- White Wine: Dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, or Pinot Grigio are best in this recipe and pair well with lemon. Chicken Broth may be used if you don't cook with wine.
- The hot sauce is a subtle flavor enhancer and doesn't make this spicy. I use Frank's Hot Sauce. The mustard powder is also a flavor enhancer that can't be tasted outright.
- Frozen broccoli may be used instead of fresh, it's already blanched so you may want to give it 3 minutes of cooking time instead of 4.
Nutritional information is per serving, this recipe makes 4 servings.
Nutrition
Yummmmmm. this was so good! My husband loved it too. I did not put the flour in and I don’t really think it needed it. Followed the recipe except for the flour. I think next time I will put more broccoli in.
I’m so happy you and your husband enjoyed it Cheryl, thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!💖
I’m from Australia and was in the USA to meet my partner’s family. I made this last week for the in-laws and it was a hit. The whole family loved it!
Back in Australia and made it again tonight because my partner requested it. This time I made it with broccoli and mushroom and it turned out great.
Thank you for sharing…..all your recipes are easy to follow and full of flavour.
Hi Dee! I am so happy that this recipe has been a HIT! 🙂 I love that you added mushrooms the second time around, YUM! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with this recipe and to leave a review! You’re the best! -Stephanie
i’ve made this twice now and it’s honestly delicious! Personally I like using extra broccoli and whole wheat pasta (and maybe a liiiittle less cheese lol) for a yummy weeknight dinner that i can feel good about!
Hi Alexa!! I am so happy that you love this recipe!! I love that you add extra broccoli and make it healthier with whole wheat pasta! (I can’t condone using less cheese though.)- Juuuuust kidding! 😂 Nicely done!!! 🙌 ❤️
Made this for first time this eve & it was fantastic. I didn’t have Asiago so I substituted Swiss which I did have on hand & turned out great!
Nice job using the Swiss, I’m so happy it was a success! Thanks so much for the great review Jeff!💗
Followed the directions exactly and it came out perfectly and just like the picture! So comforting and delicious. Two portions of this in a restaurant would be at least $45 where I am in Boston, so needless to say we will be making this much more affordable yet equally delicious version at home.
This makes me so happy Tyler! I make this one all the time. Thanks so much for the great comments and review!❤️
Great recipe. I did not change a thing and it turned out perfect. This is a keeper.
Wahooo! I’m so happy to hear that Paul, thanks for the great comments and for taking the time to leave a review!💗
Stephanie..I recently discovered you on Pinterest… and I have made 3 of your recipes…Stuffed Pepper Soup (at least 4 times), the chicken pot pie casserole with buttermilk biscuits, and tonight , the Chicken Broccoli Pasta… your recipes have become my go to!
Your seasoning is a game changer!! I can’t wait to cook more of your amazing recipes!
Xoxo, Christine
Thanks so much for your support Christine! It makes me so happy to hear you’ve been enjoying the recipes so far. I’m so happy to have your here! Thanks again💖💖💖
Excellent recipe … came out so good … new favorite
Wahooo! I’m so happy to haer that Mike, thank you💗
Such a delicious meal. I hate cooking but this was so much fun! I added mushrooms in after adding the cheese and they added extra flavor to the sauce. Only complaint is that my chicken got cold and dry while making the sauce (I am a beginner when it comes to cooking). Will recommend and try again!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it Peyton! You can always tent your plate with foil to help keep the chicken warm while you prepare the sauce. And measuring out everything before you start will make the sauce a breeze! 🙂 Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review, I really appreciate it! 🙂 -Stephanie
This was so delicious, even my picky eaters loved it. I’m so glad that I doubled the recipe. The leftovers were even better. Am looking forward to receiving your cookbook. Love your recipes.
I’m so happy this was a hit Teresa, especially with the picky eaters! I can’t wait for you to get the cookbook, thanks so much for your support!❤️