Chicken With Pasta And Broccoli
Juicy chicken strips paired with tender broccoli, sun-dried tomatoes, and pasta create a vibrant, flavorful dish perfect for weeknights or casual gatherings. The combination of garlic, basil, and red pepper flakes adds a delightful depth of flavor, making this meal satisfying and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil ⓘ
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped ⓘ
- 1/2 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch wide strips ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups small broccoli florets
- 3/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, sliced thin ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon basil leaves
- pinch crushed red pepper flakes ⓘ
- salt and pepper to taste ⓘ
- 1/4 cup dry white wine ⓘ
- 3/4 cup chicken broth ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon butter ⓘ
- 1/2 pound rotini pasta, cooked and drained ⓘ
- grated Parmesan cheese ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Saute the garlic for about 1 minute until golden, stirring constantly.
- Add the chicken strips and cook until white and almost completely cooked.
- Add the broccoli and cook until crisp-tender.
- Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, basil leaves, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Pour in the white wine and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the chicken broth and butter, then cook for about 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor, marinate the chicken strips in a mixture of olive oil, garlic, and basil for 30 minutes before cooking. If you don't have sun-dried tomatoes, you can substitute them with fresh tomatoes or roasted red peppers. For a lighter version, consider using whole-wheat pasta or zucchini noodles instead of rotini. This dish can also be modified to feature other vegetables like bell peppers or asparagus.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Chicken With Pasta And Broccoli with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese on top for added flavor. It pairs beautifully with a side salad or garlic bread. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside a light white wine, which complements the dish's flavors. For more delicious ideas, browse more Italian recipes to expand your culinary repertoire.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to prevent drying out. Alternatively, you can microwave it in short intervals, stirring occasionally until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken With Pasta And Broccoli contains roughly 1116 calories, with 5g protein, 8g carbohydrates, and 116g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (80% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A and protein. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 619mg per serving (27% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make this dish spicier?
To add more heat, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes according to your taste preference. Alternatively, you can include diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce while cooking. Just be sure to balance the spice with other flavors to maintain a well-rounded dish.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).