Ingredients
– 8 ounces broccoli florets (about 3 cups, cut into bite-sized pieces)
– 1 medium shallot (finely diced)
– 3 cloves garlic (minced)
– 2 ounces parmesan cheese (freshly and finely grated, about 2 cups fluffy)
– 1¼ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (cubed into 1-inch pieces)
– 1½ to 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (adjust based on saltiness)
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 2 tablespoons water
– 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
– 2 cups chicken stock
– 2 cups heavy whipping cream (can substitute half and half with adjustments)
– ½ pound dried penne rigate pasta (or similar shapes like farfalle, cavatappi, orecchiette, rotini, fusilli)
– 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (finely chopped)
Instructions
1-Chop broccoli: Chop broccoli into bite-sized pieces, dice the shallot finely, mince the garlic, and grate the parmesan cheese freshly.
2-Cut chicken breasts: Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes, pat them dry, and toss with half the Cajun seasoning to start.
3-Heat a skillet: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil, and sear the chicken until browned and cooked through. If anything sticks, deglaze with broth, water, or white wine to scrape up those tasty bits.
4-Sear the broccoli: Sear the broccoli in the same pan for about 5 minutes until browned on some sides, then add water, cover, and steam for 2 minutes until slightly softened but still firm.
5-Lower the heat: Lower the heat to medium-low, melt the butter, and sauté the shallots until translucent and slightly caramelized. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
6-Pour in chicken stock: Pour in chicken stock, heavy whipping cream, and dried pasta. Stir, cover, and simmer for 5-8 minutes until the pasta is just under al dente, stirring occasionally.
7-Add the seared chicken: Add the seared chicken, broccoli, and grated parmesan back into the pan. Stir and simmer until the sauce thickens, then mix in the parsley. Let it cool a bit for the sauce to thicken more.
8-Serve warm: Serve warm, topped with extra parmesan and parsley if you like.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
🌶️ Start with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning to avoid oversalting; adjust later as needed.
🍲 Deglaze the pan with broth, water, or wine to lift browned bits for extra flavor.
🥦 Searing the broccoli adds depth of flavor and texture.
⏳ Cook pasta 1-2 minutes less than package directions since it finishes cooking in the sauce.
🧀 Use freshly grated parmesan for best taste and texture.
🔥 Remove from heat slightly before sauce thickens fully, as it will thicken more while cooling.
❄️ Reheat leftovers gently with a splash of cream or broth to maintain sauce consistency.
🥬 Customize by adding vegetables like bell peppers or spinach for variety.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing, Sautéing, Simmering, One Pot
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Contains Dairy, Gluten
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 1001 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 669 mg
- Fat: 63 g
- Saturated Fat: 35 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 59 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 52 g
- Cholesterol: 253 mg