Chicken and broccoli pasta

Tips: Perfect your chicken and broccoli pasta

These tips will take your chicken and broccoli pasta to new levels. We guide you through how to achieve the best flavours and textures.

Cook the pasta 'al dente'

'Al dente' means the pasta should be tender but still firm to the bite. Start checking if the pasta is done a bit earlier than the package institutions suggest. Since pasta retains heat and continues to cook once removed from the water, aim to reach the 'al dente' stage right as you mix it with the other warm ingredients.

Get the right broccoli texture

To achieve a crunchier bite, briefly sauté the broccoli before adding the chicken again. If you prefer softer broccoli, allow it to cook for a bit longer. Baking the broccoli in a hot oven for 18–20 minutes until it begins to char will add crispness and deepen its flavour. For convenience, you can boil the broccoli in the pasta water during the last 4–5 minutes of the pasta's cooking time.

Cut the chicken strips evenly

To cook tender and tasty chicken in your pasta, cut and flatten the fillets to the same thickness. This guarantees that all the chicken strips cook evenly.

Try our tasty chicken and broccoli pasta

Get ready to dazzle your taste buds with our chicken and broccoli pasta recipe! This dish is a delightful mix of comforting flavours and textures, making it perfect for both lunch gatherings and cosy dinner settings. The broccoli adds a fresh touch, while the tender chicken and rich, creamy cheese offer a comforting embrace, ideal for chilly evenings. With only a few simple ingredients and about thirty minutes of your time, you can whip up this delicious meal. It is bound to become your new favourite go-to for those hectic evenings!

Tender chicken and broccoli fried in butter

Chicken and broccoli are a classic combination in pasta dishes. The chicken offers savoury flavours and a tender texture, while the broccoli adds colour and a mild, earthy sweetness. Together, they form the backbone of the dish and help accentuate each other's qualities. When fried in butter, the chicken develops a golden, caramelised exterior that locks in juices. Adding broccoli to the same pan allows it to absorb the flavourful juices, providing a pleasant crunch to the meal. Both ingredients are sautéed in butter with chilli flakes and garlic, infusing the dish with a welcome warmth.

Pasta and chicken make for a perfect pairing. We suggest trying some of our favourite recipes that feature this dynamic duo. Consider making our chicken pasta with béchamel sauce, a creamy chicken fettuccine Alfredo, or a batch of tasty chicken cannelloni.

Creamy and extra cheesy with shredded cheddar and Maasdam cheese

Pasta with chicken and broccoli turns into a creamy delight with the addition of delicious, shredded cheese. Combining cheddar and Maasdam creates a rich, velvety texture that clings to the pasta. While the two cheeses have some similarities, each contributes its own distinct flavour to the dish. Cheddar offers a sharp, tangy flavour, whereas Maasdam adds a nutty, slightly sweet undertone. Together, they complement the savoury and earthy flavours of the other ingredients perfectly.

Make the dish your own

Get creative in the kitchen and add your own touch to the pasta with chicken and broccoli. There are plenty of ways to make adjustments, and substituting broccoli is one of them. While broccoli is a big part of the dish, you can still swap it for green beans or Brussels sprouts. Both share the flavours and textures of broccoli and will add to the colour and freshness of the dish.

To make a creamier chicken and broccoli pasta, stir in a splash of cream to form a rich sauce. Add freshly grated cheeses such as Parmesan or Gruyère to enhance the flavours. Parmesan brings a sharp and slightly salty dimension, while Gruyère offers sweet and nutty notes. This combination ensures the sauce beautifully coats both the pasta and broccoli, creating a delightful richness in every bite.

For a delightful twist on your chicken and broccoli pasta, consider introducing bacon to the mix. Bacon adds a smoky depth, creating a wonderful contrast to the broccoli. Start by frying crispy bacon pieces until golden brown, then sprinkle them over the pasta to infuse it with an extra crunch.

To further elevate the dish, incorporate a dollop of homemade or store-bought pesto. The fresh basil, garlic, and pine nuts in the pesto bring a vibrant, herbaceous quality that pairs beautifully with the cheese. Swirl the pesto directly into the cream before combining it with the pasta, or drizzle it over the top for a more pronounced basil flavour.