🍝🌿 Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta
Mediterranean Style | Family-Friendly | Weeknight Easy
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4)
300 g (10 oz) pasta (penne, fusilli, or whole-wheat)
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 chicken breasts, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp paprika
Salt & black pepper, to taste
3 cups broccoli florets
¾ cup chicken broth
¾ cup milk or light cream
¼ cup heavy cream (optional, richer sauce)
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp lemon zest
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp fresh parsley or basil, chopped
Red chili flakes (optional)
👩🍳 Instructions
Cook Pasta & Broccoli
Bring salted water to a boil.
Cook pasta until al dente. Add broccoli during the last 2 minutes.
Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.Cook Chicken
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Season chicken with salt, pepper, oregano, and paprika.
Sauté 5–6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.Make the Sauce
In the same pan, add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
Pour in broth and simmer 2–3 minutes.
Stir in milk, cream (if using), Parmesan, lemon zest, and chili flakes.Combine
Return chicken to the pan. Add pasta and broccoli.
Toss gently, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen sauce.Finish
Stir in lemon juice and fresh herbs. Adjust seasoning.
🌿 Mediterranean Variations
Healthier: Use whole-wheat or chickpea pasta
Low-carb: Swap pasta for zucchini noodles
Extra veggies: Add spinach or sun-dried tomatoes
Dairy-free: Use olive oil, plant milk, and nutritional yeast
🥗 Serving Ideas
With a simple tomato-cucumber salad
Paired with roasted vegetables
Finished with extra olive oil & Parmesan drizzle
🔥 Pro Tips
Don’t overcook broccoli—keep it bright green
Lemon brightens the creamy sauce beautifully
Pasta water makes the sauce silky, not heavy
