Quick & Easy Fettuccine Chicken Broccoli Alfredo
There is truly nothing better than pasta drenched in a creamy sauce and served with cooked chicken and broccoli florets. Pasta, protein, and veggies all in one! My chicken broccoli alfredo recipe is a quick, 30-minute pasta dinner with a creamy, delicious, homemade alfredo sauce that the whole family will love- even the kids!
Table of Contents
What Makes This Recipe Great
Fettuccine Alfredo is a classic comfort food that tastes like it took all day but is actually really quick and easy to make. Throw in some fresh broccoli, chicken breasts, and creamy homemade alfredo sauce, and you have the most delicious Chicken Broccoli Alfredo recipe loved by kids and adults.
This broccoli chicken pasta is the perfect 30-minute dinner! It’s ideal for busy weeknights, date nights, or a big batch for Sunday family dinner. An easy recipe loved by the whole family!
Watch The Recipe Video
Note: You can also watch this recipe video on YouTube.
The BEST (& Easiest!) Homemade Creamy Sauce
After learning to make my super easy alfredo sauce, you will never use a store-bought jar of alfredo sauce again. You can make your own creamy alfredo sauce almost as fast as opening a jar, but it tastes a million times better. All you need is some butter, garlic, heavy cream, and grated parmesan cheese.
While it’s not exactly the healthiest, I can promise you it is the tastiest. I’ve made “healthier” versions of alfredo sauce, and it’s just not the same. If it’s fettuccine alfredo you want, you’re craving this!
Ingredient Notes
- Pasta: If you don’t have fettuccine on hand, 1 pound of your favorite pasta would work. Even gluten-free. Jovial makes my favorite gluten-free pasta. This chicken broccoli alfredo is all about the sauce, so the pasta part is up to you!
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: I like to cube my chicken breasts before cooking. This way, they cook much quicker in the skillet. I cut my chicken breasts into 1″ bite-sized pieces.
- Broccoli: I use 2 heads of raw broccoli for this recipe, chopped (about 3-4 cups). If you prefer to use frozen broccoli, just be sure to heat them up on the stovetop or microwave and drain the water before putting them in your skillet.
- Garlic: I recommend using fresh garlic or minced garlic for a wonderful deep flavor in your alfredo sauce.
- Grated Parmesan: I also include a bit more to garnish my pasta. Feel free to use a little or a lot, depending on your preference.
- Salt & Pepper: Season to taste. You can use grated black pepper if you prefer it.
- Olive Oil: I recommend only using olive oil and not a different oil for this recipe.
- Heavy Cream
- Butter
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Heat a large pot of salted water over high heat. Once boiling, add your pasta, reduce the heat, and cook according to package instructions. If al dente is preferred, cook for one minute less.
- While the pasta cooks, heat a cast iron skillet (or any large skillet) over medium-high heat with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the broccoli, season with a pinch of salt and pepper, and cook the broccoli uncovered for 4 minutes until bright green. Add in 1/4 cup water, and cook uncovered until the water has evaporated and the broccoli is crisp and tender. Transfer the cooked and tender broccoli florets to a medium-sized bowl.
- In the same skillet you cooked the broccoli, heat another tablespoon of olive oil, and cook the chicken in an even layer—season with salt and pepper. Cook about 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, turning the chicken several times. Transfer the cooked chicken to the same bowl as the broccoli.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter, then cook the garlic for 30 seconds or until fragrant. Then add the heavy cream and scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the skillet. Add the grated parmesan cheese and cook until melted and just starting to bubble. Turn the heat to low.
- When the pasta is done cooking, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta from the water, then add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce and toss to coat the noodles. Add in the tender chicken and broccoli and toss to combine. If necessary, add pasta water to thin the sauce to the desired consistency.
- Serve your chicken broccoli fettucini alfredo warm and garnish with parmesan cheese on top!
Expert Tips
- Frozen Broccoli: You can use frozen broccoli if that’s what you have! About 1 pound. Thaw first, then add in to warm through.
- Protein: Chicken breasts are my go-to, but you could also use chicken thighs for this chicken broccoli alfredo if that’s what you have. Shrimp, salmon, or steak would be great, too! Even better, if you have leftover chicken breasts from the night before, use them!
Serving Tips
Serve warm, topped with additional parmesan cheese! This dish is perfect by itself or with a side salad and some crusty garlic bread.
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet. Add a little water or butter to break up the pasta and restore its creamy texture.
To freeze, store in an airtight container for up to 6 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge, then reheat in a large skillet over medium heat until warmed through.
Recipe FAQs
I’ve tried to adjust the alfredo sauce with healthier alternatives, and it just never has turned out quite as delicious. If want to try it yourself, I recommend using Miyokos Vegan Butter, Silk Dairy-Free Heavy Cream, and Trader Joe’s Dairy-Free Shredded Parmesan Cheese.
These are all newer alternatives that I have not tried myself, but I bet would be closer to the real version than the ingredients I’ve used in the past!
If you’re really looking to make this recipe lower-carb, try Natural Heaven Hearts of Palm Linguine as your pasta swap! Maybe one of these days I will perfect a healthy version, but in the meantime, let me know how this works for you in the comments!
More Creamy Pasta Dishes
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Quick & Easy Fettuccine Chicken Broccoli Alfredo
Ingredients
- 1 pound fettuccine pasta
- 2 heads of broccoli, chopped, about 3-4 cups
- 24 ounces boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1" cubes
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves of garlic, grated or finely minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- salt + pepper
Equipment
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a bowl. Season the water with salt.
- While waiting for the water to boil, heat a cast iron skillet (or any large skillet) over medium high heat with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the broccoli, season with a pinch of salt and pepper, and cook the broccoli uncovered for 4 minutes until bright green. Add in 1/4 cup water, and cook uncovered until the water has evaporated, and the broccoli is crisp tender. Transfer the cooked broccoli to a medium size bowl.
- Add the fettuccine to the boiling water, and cook according to manufacturers instructions.
- In the same skillet you cooked the broccoli, heat another tablespoon of olive oil, and cook the chicken in an even layer. Season with salt and pepper. Cook about 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked thru, turning the chicken several times. Transfer the cooked chicken to the same bowl as the broccoli.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter, then cook the garlic for 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Then add the heavy cream, and scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the skillet. Add the grated parmesan cheese, and cook until melted and just starting to bubble. Turn the heat to low.
- When the pasta is done cooking, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta from the water, then add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce, and toss to coat the noodles. Add in the cooked chicken and broccoli, toss to combine. If necessary, add in pasta water to thin the sauce to desired consistency.
- Serve this broccoli chicken alfredo warm, topped with grated parmesan cheese.
- See the Recipe Notes below for more tips, FAQ's and ingredient substitutions.
Notes
Expert Tips
- Frozen Broccoli: You can use frozen broccoli if that’s what you have! About 1 pound. Thaw first, then add in to warm through.
- Protein: Chicken breasts are my go-to, but you could also use chicken thighs for this broccoli chicken alfredo if that’s what you have. Shrimp, salmon, or steak would be great, too! Even better, if you have leftover chicken breasts from the night before, use them!
172 Comments on “Quick & Easy Fettuccine Chicken Broccoli Alfredo”
My husband and I made this recipe earlier this week and it turned out SOOOO good!! Thanks for sharing a delicious recipe! It was so good I mentioned it in my favorite things this week on my blog and linked the recipe back to you!
Thanks!
Emma
Here’s a link to the post I mentioned you in:
http://emmasexploring.com/2016/02/05/friday-favorites-february-things/
I’m so glad you and your husband liked my recipe Emma! That makes my day! I love this pasta dish. So tasty. And thanks for the mention on your blog! I’m flattered!
Loved the recipe with pictures. Very easy to follow and it turned out perfect!!! I’m saving this recipe. My first time to ever leave a comment for a recipe :)
Dog story made it personable and inviting
Thanks Linda! I’m so glad you liked it. This dishes is one of my favorites. Can’t beat creamy pasta with veggies. And thanks for taking the time to leave me a comment that you liked my recipe! You just made my day! Big hugs to you : )
I only have shredded parm cheese. Will that work as well?
Yes, will work fine!
This sounds lovely. Going to give this recipe a go. thanks for sharing this.
Simon
That story does not encourage me to want to get a dog :) !
This seriously has me drooling over here! It looks absolutely perfect…and that sauce…soooo goooooddd! Pinned :).
Haha, your dog gets a haircut more often than I do! Is that bad? Simple, hearty meals like this one are the best kind!
Wow, you deserve a nap after that debacle!! Fettuccine Alfredo is one of my favorite comfort food dinners, and I love your version! The broccoli in here totally cancels out the heavy cream!
Nat my friend, you are so patience with your dog ;-)
So, you really deserved this cream and delicious Alfredo sauce dish after all this work! I love Alfredo sauce and it is my favourite dish to order at an Italian restaurant.
I try to avoid letting my dogs out after they get a bath, they love to find the dirtiest spot they can and roll in it too! This alfredo looks like a comforting way to forget about that though. I love chicken alfredo!
The broccoli totally cancels out the heavy cream. :) I love that the broccoli and chicken get tossed together with the creamy, cheesy pasta in this dish. Total comfort food!
Agh. Dogs can be such little brats but life just wouldn’t be the same without them ;-) He reminds me of Stella with the double baths…As soon as I pull her out of the bath, she wants a snack. During her snack time she never fails to cover herself in peanut butter, smoothie, or strawberry juice…and then its back to the bath again….and repeat lol
Oh Lou!!! Thankfully Tug doesn’t need haircuts but bath days are a big deal. He freezes motionless in the tub (except for a few attempts to sneak a little drink of bath water) but he turns into a wild man when he’s being towel dried. He’s on a mission to shake water alllll over the apartment. A nap and a creamy good dish of pasta like this one sounds like exactly the remedy to a Lou grooming day!
My brother used to groom our family dog when we were growing up and it took forever. You totally deserved a nap. This is the perfect comforting dish after all of that too :) It looks so creamy and delicious!
I can barely brush and rake my dog — he won’t sit still! A nap was totally warranted after grooming your dog! haha This is some serious comfort food, Natalie, and I totally agree — healthier alfredo really doesn’t taste like alfredo! :)
VERY impressed that you groom your dog yourself. This looks like a perfect comforting and delicious dinner!
I give you tons of credit for having the patience to groom your dog. My parent’s dog Molly needs to be groomed every few weeks because her fur gets super thick and she sheds like crazy, but she’s CRAZY. She can’t sit still for 30 seconds – I actually feel bad for the groomer. No way could I ever do it myself – luckily it’s not that expensive! I love fettuccine Alfredo SO much. It’s Kyle’s favorite dish! I totally agree with you about the “healthier” versions.. they are never the same and if I’m going to have it, I want the real deal!
Oooh, chicken and broccoli anything is my favorite! This looks like pure comfort food!
Girl, we are both TOTALLY on the same alfredo wavelength! I’ve got a recipe going up soon for broccoli fettuccine alfredo! Uhhh great minds is the only thing I can figure. ;) Seriously LOVING how ultra-rich and creamy this pasta looks. Gahh just gimme the whole pan!
Oh that doggggg!!! No wonder you took a nap; I would have done the same! What a mess! Good thing you had an easy, comforting dinner recipe at the ready. This looks delicious, Natalie. Cheese, broccoli and pasta? Bring on the stretchy pants!
Mmm fettuccine alfredo is my go-to dish at Italian restaurants. This version looks fantastic, Natalie! I love the broccoli and chicken combo!