Can I make this ahead of time?

Totally. Just reheat with a splash of milk to loosen the sauce—it thickens as it sits.

Do I have to use whole-wheat pasta?

Nope! Regular pasta works fine, or even chickpea or lentil pasta if you want a protein boost.

You can, but it won’t be quite as creamy. A splash of plain Greek yogurt stirred in at the end works too.

Spinach, peas, or zucchini are great add-ins. Basically, anything that softens quickly in the sauce.

Not the best candidate—creamy sauces can get a little weird after freezing. Better to refrigerate and eat within 3 days.

A hearty and healthy chicken broccoli pasta dish with a creamy Parmesan sauce. Perfect for a balanced and comforting dinner.

Scale

2 1/2 cups uncooked whole-wheat pasta (6.8 ounces)
4 cups chopped raw broccoli
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized cubes (about 1 pound)
1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper (or to taste)
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
2/3 cup non-fat or low-fat milk
1/4 cup half-and-half
1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon chopped thyme
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)

Cook pasta according to package directions. Add broccoli during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain and set aside.
Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then toss with 1 tablespoon flour to coat.
In a large skillet, heat 1 teaspoon olive oil over medium heat. Cook the chicken until golden and cooked through, then transfer to a plate.
Add remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil and garlic to the same skillet and cook for 30 seconds.
Whisk in remaining flour until smooth, then slowly add the broth while whisking.
Add milk, half-and-half, Dijon mustard, and thyme. Simmer until thickened, about 3–5 minutes.
Stir in Parmesan cheese and return chicken to the skillet. Add pasta and broccoli and mix until coated and heated through.
Serve warm with additional Parmesan if desired.

Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor. You can substitute whole-wheat pasta with regular if preferred.

Keywords: chicken, broccoli, pasta, creamy, parmesan, healthy