Chicken broccoli pasta gets kicked up a notch with a simple white wine butter sauce bursting with fresh lemon flavor.
Whenever I travel out of town, I like to stock the fridge with plenty of food and ready-to-eat meals that my husband can easily reheat for the boys.
I don’t want to worry about my boys surviving on Cheez-Its and Oreos. So, I love whipping up a batch of my fast and easy Chicken Broccoli Pasta with Lemon Butter Sauce.
I love to use a little white wine to deglaze the pan after browning the chicken. Feel free to use chicken broth instead to avoid the alcohol.
Personally, I love the flavor it adds to the background of the dish. I don’t worry about serving it to my boys since most of the alcohol content cooks off.
This pasta is ideal for entertaining a crowd or gifting to a new mother. It’s also great to make ahead for an easy, re-heatable weekday lunch.
Not a fan of broccoli? This pasta would be just as delicious with asparagus, green beans or peas.
Your fork is waiting.
Frequently asked questions:
Reheating it in a sauté pan with a little olive oil would be best but heating in the microwave totally works too.
Chicken can easily be swapped out for shrimp, pork tenderloin or even white beans.
📖 Recipe
Chicken Broccoli Pasta with Lemon Butter Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 pound dry penne regular or whole wheat
- 8 cups broccoli cut into florets
- 20 ounces boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 cups chicken broth low sodium
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Parmigiano Reggiano and fresh basil optional garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salty water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions.
- Two minutes before the pasta is done cooking, add the broccoli to the same pot cooking the pasta.
- Drain the pasta and broccoli and return to pan; set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add cooking spray. Sprinkle cubed chicken breasts with salt and chili flakes. Add to pan and brown, 7-9 minutes. Remove chicken from pan and reserve.
- Leaving the pan on medium-high, add white wine and use a wooden spoon to deglaze the pan by scraping up the browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a boil then reduce to simmer.
- Add butter to the pan and heat until melted. Stir in lemon juice and chicken broth then simmer for an additional minute or two.
- Add reserved chicken and any juices formed back to the pot with the pasta and broccoli. Stir in lemon butter sauce and toss well. Check for seasoning and adjust accordingly.
- Stir in olive oil before dividing between 6 plates. Serve with plenty of Parmigiano Reggiano and fresh basil.
Video
Nutrition
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Liz DellaCroce
Hmm…did you add enough salt? Maybe some garlic next time or chili flakes? Sorry you didn’t enjoy!
cheryl Wells
It was very bland to me also. I even marinated chicken & added mushrooms. I’m trying to find a sauce to jaZz up the leftovers
Liz DellaCroce
Sorry you didn’t enjoy the pasta recipe Tracey. Merry Christmas!
Tracey lyman
Not a fan. The husband and I found it to bland. We have leftovers so I think I’ll sauté some garlic in butter and add.
Liz DellaCroce
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!! Let me know if you try any other recipes Marnie!
Marnie Hoolahan
This was delicious! I was looking for a recipe that did not rely on heavy cream or a “creamy/Alfredo” sauce and this was perfect! I substituted bowtie pasta and added a little extra pepper flakes to add a little more zest! I loved the lemon! I did not have a bottle of dry white wine so I used chardonnay 1/3 cup and it was perfect! This was a hit and will make it into my regular line-up! Thanks for sharing this recipe–husband and picky 16 year old son both enjoyed it! They even noticed the lemon!
Liz DellaCroce
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!
Jeno
This was a quick and easy with a good flavor. Def different from the chicken broccoli alfredo staple, had a nice tart flavor to it. I did add some garlic to it as well. and a bit of cream to the sauce to thicken it just a bit. All the menfolk in my household loved it!
Liz DellaCroce
I would add in heavy cream!! Start with 1/2 cup!
Naeli
Hi I was thinking of making this recipe but wanted to see if you had any recommendations for making it creamier? Thank you :)
Liz DellaCroce
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!!
Debbie
Just made this today. We loved it! My son ( who is seven) wanted my to make a review to let you know.
I used angel hair pasta and cooked the broccoli separate. Otherwise followed recipe as written. Oh, my chicken was a butter garlic chicken from a local meat shop so I used that! Lots of really good flavor. I did skip the Parmesan as I didn’t have any but we had garlic toast with melted fresh mozzarella so that made a good complement to the meal.
Liz DellaCroce
There isn’t garlic in the recipe but you can add it – just add it at the end before eating!:)
Alyssa m
The recipe doesn’t say anything about garlic. How much garlic did you use?
Liz DellaCroce
Hi Sheryl,
I’m so sorry this pasta wasn’t a winner with your family! Did you add all of the garlic, lemon, salt and butter? My kids devour it every time!
Sheryl
I am not sure about all the rave reviews, this recipe had no flavor, not a winner with my family.
Liz DellaCroce
I’m so glad he enjoyed it Nancy!
Nancy Vitulli
Wonderful. My husband loved it. I only had limes on hand, so I used them. I also added a bit of half and half at the end for more liquid. This will be a regular meal in our house! Thank you.
Liz DellaCroce
Oh I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed it Liz!! Let me know if you try any of my other recipes!!
Liz
This was such a nice departure from the creamy, gloppy chicken broccoli pasta dishes I’ve made in the past. I was searching for a use for my leftover roast chicken, and this worked wonderfully. I skipped the browning step and added a bit of the flavorful leftover gravy to make up the difference in flavor.
Liz DellaCroce
I think reheating it in a sauté pan with a little olive oil would be best but microwave totally works too.
MPS
How do you recommend reheating it?
Liz DellaCroce
You got that right!! Leftovers were even better! Glad you enjoyed!
Lisa
Made this tonight, it’s great! I think the leftovers wil be even better tomorrow after the sauce really soaks in the pasta!
Liz DellaCroce
Totally true!! :)
Ashley M. | Our Full Table
This looks amazing and I totally agree my boys would do that same thing. When I leave them for a night or two its so much less stressful!
Liz DellaCroce
Lemon and butter are seriously BFFS :)
Liz DellaCroce
Same to you Liz!
Liz DellaCroce
I love adding more at the table too – I am glad you enjoyed!
jan
Very good, I went easy on the chili flakes will add more next time!!
Liz
Thank you Liz for another nice recipe. Have a good weekend!
Liz DellaCroce
hhaha I wish I could give you a big bite!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife
That photo… I feel like I could literally sit down at my computer and reach in for a bite of pasta! I love this pasta dish! You have no idea, it speaks to my heart! haha
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction
What a great make ahead meal! Love the lemon butter sauce!
Liz DellaCroce
I hope you like it sista!
Liz DellaCroce
Awww every meal!!
Liz DellaCroce
It was so much fun!! I hope you try this pasta!
Liz DellaCroce
How did they like it??
Liz DellaCroce
Thanks Charlotte!!
Liz DellaCroce
Awww you’re sweet. It was just the mom guilt kicking in. ;)
Megan {Country Cleaver}
I’m a fan of make-ahead meals when I’m ahead of town for the boys, too. I’m adding this one to my must-make list!
Gaby
Totally my kind of dinner!
Meagan @ A Zesty Bite
You are such a great mom. I know that mine would be eating countless amounts of goldfish and cheese if I didn’t plan ahead. Love this pasta dish.
Sophia @ NY Foodgasm
Simple pleasure are sometimes the best! Love that you have veggies with EVERY meal!!
Charlotte Moore
Looks so tasty. Love pasta and broccoli together.
jan
Making it tonight! I will let you know the families reviews!:)))))
dixya@food, pleasure, and health
that sounds like one fun trip…lemon butter sauce sounds pretty delicious.
Liz DellaCroce
It was seriously so amazing Julia!!! I hope you like this pasta!
Liz DellaCroce
Aww I love NYC too!! I wanted to stay longer!
Liz DellaCroce
Can’t beat lemon and butter right? :)
Matt Robinson
Loving this pasta, especially with that sauce!
Erin
What a great make ahead meal for while you are gone! And loved following your pics of the trip, I want to go back to NYC!
Julia
Now that is my kind of trip!! If I got to see a chick pea farm I would be in heaven! ;) This meal looks so healthy and uses such healthy ingredients. Saving for a busy night!