Super Simple Broccoli and Chicken or Shrimp Alfredo
Indulge in the creamy comfort of this Super Simple Broccoli and Chicken or Shrimp Alfredo, a quick and easy dinner guaranteed to satisfy. Featuring tender chicken or succulent shrimp paired with perfectly cooked broccoli, this dish is tossed in a rich homemade Alfredo sauce made with heavy cream, butter, garlic, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Served over al dente fettuccine or your favorite pasta, this recipe comes together in just 30 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight dinner option. Customize it with your choice of protein and enjoy a restaurant-quality meal that’s loaded with flavor and simple to prepare. Whether you’re craving a creamy chicken Alfredo or a seafood twist, this versatile recipe is bound to become a family favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound Chicken breast (or shrimp, peeled and deveined)
- 3 cups Broccoli florets
- 12 ounces Fettuccine pasta (or pasta of your choice)
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups Heavy cream
- 1 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. If using chicken, cut it into bite-sized pieces and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook the chicken until golden and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. If using shrimp, season it with salt and pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove the chicken or shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet, followed by the broccoli florets. Sauté the broccoli for 4-5 minutes until tender-crisp. Remove the broccoli from the skillet and set aside.
Melt the butter in the skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, but do not let it brown.
Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine. Let the cream simmer for 2-3 minutes, then gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Return the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing it in the Alfredo sauce to coat evenly. If the sauce seems too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
Gently fold in the cooked chicken or shrimp and the sautéed broccoli. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to warm everything through.
Serve immediately, garnished with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1742 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 116.3 g | 149% | |
| Saturated Fat | 52.9 g | 264% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 590 mg | 197% | |
| Sodium | 4066 mg | 177% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 3.1 g | 1% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.4 g | 1% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.0 g | ||
| Protein | 173.6 g | 347% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.5 mcg | 7% | |
| Calcium | 959 mg | 74% | |
| Iron | 4.5 mg | 25% | |
| Potassium | 1219 mg | 26% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
