Nothing says comfort food to me like pasta. I can eat it almost every way under the sun, but I’m trying to eat a little healthier these days, so tons of cheese just doesn’t fit on my plate anymore. Of course, I still want the creamy consistency, though! So, to feed my creamy pasta cravings, I make this easy chicken & broccoli pasta with garlic cream sauce.
I start by boiling my pasta. While my pasta is boiling, I put a steamer tray right over the pot and steam my broccoli, too. It’s like a 2 for 1 – gotta love that! I use 1 pound of orecchiette pasta and a couple of big bunches of broccoli (I only use the florettes.) When it’s finished, make sure to save 2 cups (or so) of the pasta water.
In the 11 mins or so that it takes the pasta to cook, I get the rest of my ingredients ready to go. I start by dicing some leftover grilled chicken (you could totally use a deli roasted chicken, too!) I use 4 breasts for the 1 lb. of pasta.
In a small sauce pan, I cook 2 cloves of garlic in 1/2 stick of butter. After the broccoli and pasta are ready, I put the drained pasta & broccoli into the butter.
Next, take 1 cup of pasta water and whisk it with 1 cup of sour cream. The water will help to thicken it.
Chicken and Broccoli Pasta with Garlic Cream Sauce
Ingredients
- Deli roasted or left over grilled chicken
- 1 Ib. orecchiette pasta
- 1/2 stick of butter
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cup of broccoli
Instructions
-
Start by boiling the pasta and steaming the broccoli. ***save about 2 cups of the water from the pasta***
-
While those are cooking dice the chicken, about 4 breasts per 1 Ib. of pasta.
-
In a small sauce pan cook the 2 garlic cloves in the butter. And when pasta and broccoli are ready toss it in the skillet with the butter and add the chicken.
-
In a small bowl add 1 cup of the saved pasta water with a 1 cup of sour cream. The starch from the water helps to thicken the sour cream and creates a sauce.
-
Add the sauce to the skillet and mix until well combined.
-
Salt and pepper to taste.
-
garnish with parmesan cheese (optional)
Tracey says
December 30, 2012 at 2:30 pmDefinitely going to have to give this one a try! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Tiffany Siladke says
December 30, 2012 at 4:09 pmWow, that looks delicious! I am not a fan of red sauce so I am always looking for alternatives that are not just Alfredo sauce or butter. Can’t wait to try this out on the hubby. Thanks!
Fanny
http://www.pinstripedpenguin.com
Lori says
December 30, 2012 at 4:44 pmThis looks so delicious! I’m always looking for new recipes so I’ll definitely be giving this one a try. Thanks for sharing.
Happy New Year!
Lori
Thrifty Decor Mom
casadeberry.net says
December 30, 2012 at 4:47 pmOooh, yum!!! This looks like something my whole family will eat – will try it!
Beth says
December 30, 2012 at 5:02 pmPast is my favorite comfort food as well, and this looks amazing!
Mary Ann says
December 30, 2012 at 5:24 pmDefinitely making this one for dinner tomorrow! It looks so good and easy! Thank you!
NanaDiana says
December 30, 2012 at 5:31 pmOMGosh! THAT looks delicious! Yum- thanks for the recipe- xo Diana
Sandra@Beneath this Roof, Within these Walls says
December 30, 2012 at 11:57 pmI much prefer creamy sauces to red ones, and this sounds like a winner!
Marilyn Holeman says
December 31, 2012 at 12:45 amSounds good. Thanks for sharing. Happy New Year, Gina!
Jo Prentice says
December 31, 2012 at 2:09 amThanks for this recipe Gina’ I too love pasta,Aand this one has another fav of mine Broccoli* i will be trying this for sure<:d
Happy New Year to you and yours x
Cheri says
January 1, 2013 at 8:02 pmI’m going to try this too! Love adding some chicken recipes!
Cheri
Tanya Halligan says
January 2, 2013 at 12:09 pmGreat recipe, I will definitely be trying this. I love your blog, very inspiring
Karachi Food says
September 19, 2013 at 2:43 amThis looks so delicious! A love the step by step photos. Thanks for posting this great recipe!
steve says
July 7, 2015 at 5:04 amNice Recipe, Thanks for Sharing .
Accommodation Noosa Heads says
August 11, 2015 at 5:05 amReally Nice Information Thanks for posting 🙂
Aron says
October 7, 2015 at 12:57 amThanks Gina, Great recipe, I will definitely Going to try this.
floor plans photography brisbane says
August 24, 2016 at 4:52 amReally i appreciate your blog content its very useful.
cheapcleans says
August 26, 2016 at 12:18 amThanks again for the great quality web blog posts that you provide. You’re writing skills are amazing and I’ll be coming back for updates.