Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Stuffed Shells

Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for any night of the week. This delightful dish combines tender chicken, vibrant broccoli, and a rich, cheesy sauce with your favorite pasta, creating a meal that’s both hearty and incredibly satisfying. Designed to be prepared in just 30 minutes, it’s the ideal solution for busy families seeking a delicious, home-cooked dinner without the fuss.

Imagine a classic mac and cheese, elevated with succulent pieces of chicken and wholesome broccoli florets, all coated in an irresistibly smooth, cheesy sauce. This isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience that brings warmth and joy to the dinner table. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice, this straightforward recipe promises a mouth-watering result every time. It’s truly the uncomplicated dinner you’ve been searching for.

For those who love to dive deeper into pasta creations, don’t miss exploring other fantastic options like our Greek Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe or the refreshing Simple Pesto Tomato Pasta. But first, let’s master this creamy chicken and broccoli masterpiece.

Why This Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Will Become Your Family’s Favorite

This recipe isn’t just another pasta dish; it’s a game-changer for weeknight dinners. Here’s why you’ll find yourself returning to it again and again:

• Kid-Friendly & Packed with Veggies: This dish is a clever way to encourage children to eat their vegetables. Its familiar mac and cheese-like texture and taste make the broccoli virtually undetectable for picky eaters, while the added protein from the chicken makes it a complete, nutritious meal in one bowl.
• Uses Pantry Staples: Forget those frantic last-minute grocery runs. This cheesy chicken and broccoli pasta relies on common ingredients you likely already have on hand, making it perfect for spontaneous meals or when your schedule is tight.
• Irresistibly Cheesy Sauce: The heart of this dish is its unbelievably delicious cheese sauce. Crafted with a harmonious blend of chicken broth, aromatic garlic, subtle seasonings, and sharp cheddar cheese, this creamy concoction is utterly addictive. Prepare for requests for second, and even third, helpings!
• Quick & Easy: From start to finish, this meal comes together in about 30 minutes. It’s an ideal choice when time is precious but you still want to serve a wholesome, homemade dinner.
• Customizable: While chicken and broccoli are the stars, this recipe is incredibly versatile. You can easily adapt it with different proteins, vegetables, or even pasta shapes to suit your family’s preferences.
• Comfort Food at Its Best: There’s something inherently comforting about a warm, cheesy pasta dish. This recipe delivers that cozy, satisfying feeling, making it perfect for chilly evenings or whenever you need a little culinary hug.

Essential Ingredients for Your Chicken Broccoli Pasta

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating this delectable meal. Most items are everyday staples, ensuring a hassle-free preparation process.

• Pasta Shells: Medium pasta shells are recommended as their unique shape perfectly cradles the creamy sauce, capturing every bit of cheesy goodness. However, feel free to use your favorite pasta shape like elbow macaroni, penne, or fusilli.
• Broccoli Florets: Fresh broccoli florets add a wonderful pop of color, texture, and essential nutrients to the dish. You can use fresh or frozen florets; just ensure they are cut into bite-sized pieces.
• Olive Oil: A good quality olive oil is essential for browning the chicken and adding a subtle depth of flavor.
• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: Lean and versatile, boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal for this recipe. Cut them into bite-sized pieces for quick cooking and even distribution throughout the pasta. Thighs can also be used for a richer flavor.
• Chicken Seasoning: A simple blend of salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper is all you need to perfectly season the chicken, ensuring it’s flavorful on its own before joining the pasta.

For the Irresistible Cheese Sauce

The creamy, dreamy cheese sauce is what truly makes this dish shine. Here’s what you’ll need to create its rich base:

• Unsalted Butter: Forms the foundation of our roux, contributing to the sauce’s silky texture and rich flavor.
• All-Purpose Flour: The thickening agent for the roux, creating a stable and smooth sauce.
• Milk: Whole milk offers the creamiest texture, but 2% milk can also be used for a slightly lighter sauce without compromising much on richness.
• Chicken Broth: Adds depth and savory notes to the sauce, balancing the richness of the cheese. Low-sodium broth is a good choice to control salt levels.
• Sauce Seasoning: A blend of garlic powder, black pepper, and salt enhances the overall flavor profile of the cheese sauce. A tiny pinch of nutmeg is an optional but highly recommended addition for an extra dimension of flavor.
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: The star of the sauce! Sharp cheddar provides a robust, tangy flavor and melts beautifully for a smooth, cohesive sauce. For the best results, shred your own cheese from a block, as pre-shredded varieties often contain anti-caking agents that can hinder smooth melting.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta

Follow these simple steps to bring this comforting dish to life in your kitchen:

• Cook the Pasta and Broccoli: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook your pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. For the last 3 minutes of the pasta’s cooking time, add the broccoli florets to the pot. This ensures the broccoli is tender-crisp and retains its vibrant color. Once cooked, drain the pasta and broccoli well and set them aside. Remember, avoid adding oil to your pasta water, as it can prevent the sauce from properly adhering to the noodles.
• Season and Cook the Chicken: While the pasta cooks, prepare your chicken. In a small bowl, combine salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper to create your seasoning blend. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to this rub, tossing until each piece is thoroughly coated. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and brown it on all sides, cooking for approximately 4 to 5 minutes total until it’s golden and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and transfer it to a separate bowl, keeping any flavorful drippings in the pan for the sauce.

• Craft the Creamy Cheese Sauce: Using the same skillet where you cooked the chicken (those browned bits add amazing flavor!), melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Once the butter is fully melted and slightly shimmering, sprinkle in the all-purpose flour, whisking constantly for about 1 minute. This creates a roux, which will thicken your sauce. Gradually whisk in the milk and chicken broth, ensuring no lumps form. Continue whisking as you add the remaining sauce ingredients: garlic powder, black pepper, salt, and most importantly, the shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Stir continuously until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3-5 minutes, or until it has thickened to your desired consistency and is bubbling gently.

• Combine and Serve: Remove the delicious cheese sauce from the heat. Gently fold in the cooked pasta, tender broccoli florets, and the browned chicken pieces. Stir everything together until all ingredients are thoroughly coated in the rich, creamy sauce. Cover the skillet and let it cook on low heat for another 3-5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully and the pasta to absorb some of that amazing sauce. Remove from heat, stir one last time, and serve immediately. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley and extra grated cheese if desired.

Expert Tips & Variations for Perfect Chicken Broccoli Pasta

Achieve perfection with your creamy chicken and broccoli pasta every time with these helpful notes and creative variations:

• Pasta Choices: While shells are excellent for capturing sauce, feel free to experiment with other pasta shapes like penne, rotini, farfalle, or even classic elbow macaroni. The key is to choose a shape that holds the sauce well.
• Avoid Oiling Pasta Water: A common misconception is that adding oil to pasta water prevents sticking. In reality, it can make the pasta greasy and prevent the sauce from properly adhering, resulting in a less flavorful dish. Stick to generously salted water for perfectly cooked pasta.
• Sauce Creaminess: The fat content of your milk influences the sauce’s richness. For an extra decadent sauce, use whole milk or even a splash of heavy cream. For a lighter version, skim milk can work, though the sauce may be less robust.
• Aromatic Nutmeg: A small pinch of freshly grated nutmeg (about 1/8 teaspoon) added to the cheese sauce can elevate its flavor profile, adding a warm, subtle complexity that pairs beautifully with cheese.
• Pasta Pot Size and Stirring: Use a large pot with ample water to allow the pasta to move freely and cook evenly. Stir the pasta immediately after adding it to the boiling water to prevent it from sticking together.
• Proper Draining: Drain your pasta and broccoli well to remove most of the water, but don’t let it sit and dry out completely, as this can make the pasta too firm and less receptive to the sauce. A quick drain is all you need.
• Chicken Seasoning Flexibility: You can either mix the seasoning blend and toss the chicken pieces in it or simply sprinkle the spices evenly over all sides of the chicken. Both methods yield delicious results.
• Garnish for Flavor: Elevate your serving with optional garnishes. A sprinkle of additional shredded cheddar, a dash of freshly ground black pepper, or a dusting of grated Parmesan cheese can add extra flavor and visual appeal. Fresh chopped parsley or chives also add a lovely fresh note.
• Cheese Quality Matters: For the smoothest, creamiest cheese sauce, always shred your own cheese from a block. Pre-shredded cheeses often contain cellulose or other anti-caking agents that can make the sauce gritty or prevent proper melting.
• Storage and Reheating: Store any leftover Chicken Broccoli Pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. To reheat, gently warm on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk or broth to restore creaminess, or microwave in short bursts, stirring occasionally.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Broccoli Pasta

Here are answers to some common questions about making and enjoying this versatile dish:

More Delicious Cheesy Pasta Recipes You’ll Love

If you’ve enjoyed this creamy chicken and broccoli pasta, you’re in for a treat! Here are more cheesy pasta recipes from our collection that are sure to delight your taste buds:

• Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta: A wonderfully aromatic and cheesy dish that combines succulent chicken with a rich garlic-Parmesan sauce.
• Jalapeno Cheddar Mac ‘N Cheese: For those who love a little kick, this recipe infuses classic mac and cheese with the vibrant flavor and heat of jalapeños.
• Easy Cajun Chicken Mac N’ Cheese: A fusion of comforting mac and cheese with bold, spicy Cajun flavors and tender chicken.
• Creamy Spinach Pasta Homemade Macaroni and Cheese Recipe: A delightful vegetarian option that brings the goodness of spinach into a creamy, homemade mac and cheese.

We hope you enjoy preparing and savoring all the recipes we share, especially this incredibly delicious Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta. Give it a try, let us know what you think, and share your culinary creations with friends and family!

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Pin Recipe

4.97 from 31 votes

Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Pasta Shells

By:

Mariam Ezzeddine

This Chicken Broccoli Pasta dish is your favorite homemade Mac N’ Cheese recipe with shells pasta, broccoli, and chicken! It’s a family favorite recipe.

Prep Time:

10 minutes

Cook Time:

20 minutes

Total Time:

30 minutes

Servings:

6
servings

Ingredients

• 8 oz medium pasta shells
• 3 cups broccoli florets
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 2 whole boneless chicken breasts, skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ¼ tsp black pepper

SAUCE

• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tbsps. all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1½ cup chicken broth
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp salt, or more to taste
• 2 ¼ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions

• In a large pot, cook pasta according to the instructions on the package. In the last 3 minutes of cooking, add broccoli. When fork tender, drain pasta and broccoli. Set aside.
• In a small bowl, combine salt, garlic powder, onion powder and black pepper. Add chicken pieces to the rub tossing to coat.
• Add olive oil to a skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Brown chicken on all sides, approximately 4 to 5 minutes total. Remove from heat and set aside in a bowl.
• In the same skillet, melt the butter. Once melted, add flour and cook for 1 minute, whisking constantly.
• Whisk in milk, chicken broth and remainder of ingredients: garlic powder, black pepper, salt and cheddar cheese and stir until the cheese is melted.
• Bring to a simmer on medium-low heat and cook until bubbling and thick, approximately 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and add in the pasta, broccoli and chicken. Stir to combine and cover cook on low heat for another 5 minutes. Remove from heat and serve.
• Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and grated cheese of your choice.

Notes

• You can use any type of pasta for this recipe.
• Don’t put oil in your pasta water! You’ll just end up with greasy pasta.
• For the sauce, you can use any fat content you’d like, the higher fat content, the creamier it will be.
• Try adding a pinch of nutmeg to the sauce, it really adds another flavor dimension!
• When filling your pot to cook the pasta, use enough water that once the noodles begin to cook and expand, there will still be plenty of room for the pasta to move freely.
• Prevent your pasta from sticking together by stirring it immediately after you drop it in.
• Drain your pasta enough to remove most of the water, however don’t let drained pasta sit and dry off, as the pasta will become too firm.
• You can mix together seasoning and roll the chicken in it, or simply sprinkle over all sides of the chicken.
• Top the pasta with additional shredded cheese, black pepper, or even a bit of grated Parmesan cheese if desired when serving.
• Ideally shred your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese doesn’t melt well.
• This dish can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days.

Nutrition

Serving:
4
g

|

Calories:
421
kcal

|

Carbohydrates:
39
g

|

Protein:
20
g

|

Fat:
21
g

|

Saturated Fat:
12
g

|

Trans Fat:
1
g

|

Cholesterol:
59
mg

|

Sodium:
608
mg

|

Potassium:
392
mg

|

Fiber:
3
g

|

Sugar:
4
g

|

Vitamin A:
892
IU

|

Vitamin C:
41
mg

|

Calcium:
387
mg

|

Iron:
2
mg