Cooking can be intimidating for beginners, especially when trying to prepare a dish that feels complex or requires many ingredients. But what if you could make a meal that’s not only simple but also full of rich flavors that taste like they came from a restaurant? That’s exactly what you’ll get with this Three Cheese Chicken Broccoli Alfredo recipe. With creamy three-cheese Alfredo sauce, tender chicken, and healthy broccoli, this dish is sure to become a go-to for beginners looking to impress.
PrintThree Cheese Chicken Broccoli Alfredo: A Comforting Dish for Beginners
Say hello to your new favorite comfort dish—Three Cheese Chicken Broccoli Alfredo! 🍗🧀 Loaded with creamy alfredo sauce, tender chicken, and fresh broccoli, this recipe is rich, satisfying, and beginner-friendly. 🌿✨ Perfect for cozy dinners and guaranteed to please the whole family. Let the cheesy goodness take over your plate! 🙌
#AlfredoPerfection #CheeseLovers #ComfortInABowl #BeginnerRecipes #ChickenAndBroccoli #CreamyIndulgence #PastaLoversUnite #EasyAndDelicious #WeeknightDinner #CheesyAndSatisfying 🍝🧀
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
For the pasta:
- 1 pound penne pasta noodles (or pasta of choice)
- 2 cups cooked and diced chicken (you can use rotisserie chicken or cook your own)
- 2 cups steamed broccoli (fresh or frozen)
For the Three-Cheese Alfredo Sauce:
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- Optional: shredded parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Start by boiling a pot of water. Add a generous amount of salt to the water (about 1 tablespoon) to help season the pasta. Once the water is boiling, add your pasta and cook according to the package instructions, usually for around 8-10 minutes, or until al dente. Once done, drain the pasta and set it aside.
Tip: Remember not to overcook your pasta, as it will continue to cook when combined with the sauce later.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken and Broccoli
While the pasta is cooking, steam your broccoli. You can use a steamer or place it in a microwave-safe bowl with a little water and cover it. Microwave for 3-4 minutes until tender.
For the chicken, if you’re not using pre-cooked chicken, sauté diced chicken breast in a bit of olive oil over medium heat. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of Italian seasoning. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center. Set the chicken aside.
Tip: To check if the chicken is cooked through, use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
Step 3: Make the Three-Cheese Alfredo Sauce
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add the heavy whipping cream and the cream cheese. Stir constantly until the cream cheese has melted completely and the mixture becomes smooth.
Now, add in the grated parmesan cheese, minced garlic, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Continue to whisk the mixture until it starts to thicken, about 3-5 minutes.
Tip: If your sauce thickens too much, simply add a bit more cream or milk to loosen it up.
Next, add the mozzarella cheese and stir until melted into the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Step 4: Combine Pasta, Chicken, and Broccoli with Sauce
Once the Alfredo sauce has reached a creamy consistency, add the cooked pasta, chicken, and broccoli to the skillet. Toss everything together, making sure the pasta, chicken, and broccoli are well-coated in the sauce.
Tip: If the sauce seems too thick, you can add a splash of pasta water to loosen it up. The starchy water will help the sauce adhere better.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Once everything is well mixed, serve the dish hot. Garnish with a sprinkle of shredded parmesan cheese for an extra touch of flavor.
Tip: If you want to add some extra flair to the dish, a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper or some fresh basil leaves would work beautifully.
Notes
Troubleshooting Common Issues:
- Overcooked Vegetables: If your broccoli becomes mushy, it may have been steamed too long. Next time, aim to steam it just until it’s tender but still firm to the bite.
- Sauce Separation: If your sauce breaks (appears greasy or separated), it may be because the heat was too high or it cooked too long. To prevent this, cook the sauce over medium heat and stir constantly. If it happens, add a little bit of cream or milk to bring it back together.
Kitchen Tips for Efficiency:
- Prep Ahead: Pre-cook your chicken or use rotisserie chicken to save time. Steaming the broccoli ahead of time also speeds things up.
- Using One Pan: If you want to minimize dishes, you can cook the pasta, chicken, and broccoli in one large skillet, using the same pan for the sauce.
- Shredding Cheese: Shred your cheese yourself rather than buying pre-shredded. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents, which can affect the smoothness of your sauce.
Tools You’ll Need:
- A large pot for boiling pasta
- A large skillet for making the sauce
- A strainer for draining the pasta
- A knife and cutting board for chopping chicken and broccoli
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
In this article, we’ll guide you step-by-step through the process of making this delicious meal from scratch, making it easy to follow no matter your experience level in the kitchen. Plus, we’ll share tips and tricks to help you navigate any bumps along the way. Let’s dive into the world of creamy pasta, melting cheese, and tender chicken!
Why This Recipe is Perfect for Beginners
When you’re starting out in the kitchen, a recipe like Three Cheese Chicken Broccoli Alfredo is ideal. Here’s why:
- Simplicity: With just a handful of ingredients, this dish comes together quickly and easily. There’s no need for complicated techniques or specialized kitchen equipment.
- Time Efficiency: In just about 20 minutes, you can have a delicious, satisfying meal that could easily pass for something you’d order at a restaurant.
- Health Benefits: While Alfredo sauce is indulgent, adding chicken and broccoli makes the dish a well-rounded option for a balanced meal. The chicken provides lean protein, and the broccoli adds fiber and essential vitamins.
Ingredients and Preparation
Let’s take a look at the ingredients you’ll need to make this Three Cheese Chicken Broccoli Alfredo. You’ll be using familiar kitchen staples, which means you won’t need to make an extra trip to a specialty store.
Ingredients:
For the pasta:
- 1 pound penne pasta noodles (or pasta of choice)
- 2 cups cooked and diced chicken (you can use rotisserie chicken or cook your own)
- 2 cups steamed broccoli (fresh or frozen)
For the Three-Cheese Alfredo Sauce:
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- Optional: shredded parmesan cheese for garnish
Ingredient Substitutions:
Pasta: While penne is a great choice, you can swap it out for any type of pasta you prefer, such as fettuccine, rigatoni, or spaghetti. Just ensure the cooking time aligns with the pasta you select.
Chicken: If you don’t have cooked chicken on hand, you can quickly pan-cook chicken breasts or thighs. Simply season them with salt, pepper, and your choice of herbs before cooking through. Alternatively, you can use leftover chicken or even rotisserie chicken for convenience.
Broccoli: You can use either fresh or frozen broccoli. Fresh broccoli should be steamed until just tender, while frozen broccoli can be steamed directly from the freezer.
Heavy Cream: If you’re looking for a lighter alternative, you can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a combination of milk and a tablespoon of flour (to help thicken the sauce). Keep in mind the texture and richness will change.
Cream Cheese: For a lighter option, you can use reduced-fat cream cheese or even Greek yogurt, though the texture may differ slightly.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Start by boiling a pot of water. Add a generous amount of salt to the water (about 1 tablespoon) to help season the pasta. Once the water is boiling, add your pasta and cook according to the package instructions, usually for around 8-10 minutes, or until al dente. Once done, drain the pasta and set it aside.
Tip: Remember not to overcook your pasta, as it will continue to cook when combined with the sauce later.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken and Broccoli
While the pasta is cooking, steam your broccoli. You can use a steamer or place it in a microwave-safe bowl with a little water and cover it. Microwave for 3-4 minutes until tender.
For the chicken, if you’re not using pre-cooked chicken, sauté diced chicken breast in a bit of olive oil over medium heat. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of Italian seasoning. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center. Set the chicken aside.
Tip: To check if the chicken is cooked through, use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
Step 3: Make the Three-Cheese Alfredo Sauce
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add the heavy whipping cream and the cream cheese. Stir constantly until the cream cheese has melted completely and the mixture becomes smooth.
Now, add in the grated parmesan cheese, minced garlic, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Continue to whisk the mixture until it starts to thicken, about 3-5 minutes.
Tip: If your sauce thickens too much, simply add a bit more cream or milk to loosen it up.
Next, add the mozzarella cheese and stir until melted into the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Step 4: Combine Pasta, Chicken, and Broccoli with Sauce
Once the Alfredo sauce has reached a creamy consistency, add the cooked pasta, chicken, and broccoli to the skillet. Toss everything together, making sure the pasta, chicken, and broccoli are well-coated in the sauce.
Tip: If the sauce seems too thick, you can add a splash of pasta water to loosen it up. The starchy water will help the sauce adhere better.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Once everything is well mixed, serve the dish hot. Garnish with a sprinkle of shredded parmesan cheese for an extra touch of flavor.
Tip: If you want to add some extra flair to the dish, a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper or some fresh basil leaves would work beautifully.
Beginner Tips and Notes
Troubleshooting Common Issues:
- Overcooked Vegetables: If your broccoli becomes mushy, it may have been steamed too long. Next time, aim to steam it just until it’s tender but still firm to the bite.
- Sauce Separation: If your sauce breaks (appears greasy or separated), it may be because the heat was too high or it cooked too long. To prevent this, cook the sauce over medium heat and stir constantly. If it happens, add a little bit of cream or milk to bring it back together.
Kitchen Tips for Efficiency:
- Prep Ahead: Pre-cook your chicken or use rotisserie chicken to save time. Steaming the broccoli ahead of time also speeds things up.
- Using One Pan: If you want to minimize dishes, you can cook the pasta, chicken, and broccoli in one large skillet, using the same pan for the sauce.
- Shredding Cheese: Shred your cheese yourself rather than buying pre-shredded. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents, which can affect the smoothness of your sauce.
Tools You’ll Need:
- A large pot for boiling pasta
- A large skillet for making the sauce
- A strainer for draining the pasta
- A knife and cutting board for chopping chicken and broccoli
Serving Suggestions
This creamy, cheesy pasta is a meal in itself, but you can elevate it even more by pairing it with some complementary sides.
Sides:
- Garlic Bread: Serve alongside some crispy, buttery garlic bread for a complete meal.
- Salad: A fresh green salad with a tangy vinaigrette will balance out the richness of the Alfredo sauce.
- Roasted Vegetables: Roasted carrots, zucchini, or a medley of veggies would pair wonderfully with this dish.
Sauces:
- Pesto Sauce: For a pop of herbaceous flavor, drizzle some pesto sauce over the dish before serving.
- Lemon Butter Sauce: A light, zesty lemon butter sauce could brighten the richness of the Alfredo.
Leftovers:
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of milk to restore its creaminess.
- Freezing: While this dish is best fresh, you can freeze the pasta for up to 2 months. Be sure to store it in a freezer-safe container and thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Conclusion
This Three Cheese Chicken Broccoli Alfredo is the perfect beginner-friendly dish that’s full of flavor and incredibly satisfying. From the creamy, cheesy Alfredo sauce to the tender chicken and vibrant broccoli, it’s a well-balanced and delicious meal that anyone can make. Whether you’re cooking for your family or impressing guests, this recipe is sure to be a hit.
So what are you waiting for? Grab your ingredients, follow the steps, and give it a try! Let us know how it turns out in the comments – we’d love to hear about your experience and any variations you tried. Cooking is all about having fun, experimenting, and enjoying the process, so don’t be afraid to make this dish your own.