One-Pot Cheesy Broccoli and Chicken Pasta
Tender chicken and broccoli combine with pasta in this creamy one-pot dinner that's quick and kid-approved. This American-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 28 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken breast, olive oil, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, cut into 1-inch pieces boneless skinless chicken breast
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 12 oz unfolded penne pasta
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound cut chicken breast pieces and sauté for 5-6 minutes until golden and cooked through, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Add 3 cloves minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
- Step 3: Pour in 4 cups chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add 12 ounces uncooked penne pasta and reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 8 minutes.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 cups fresh broccoli florets and 1 cup half-and-half. Cover and cook for another 5 minutes until pasta is tender and broccoli is bright green and crisp-tender.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper until the cheese melts into a creamy sauce coating the pasta and chicken. Serve immediately.
