I grew up loving a classic East Coast dish called Chicken, Ziti, Broccoli, and anytime I see it on a menu, I order it without hesitation. After moving West, it became harder to find, so I started making my own lighter version at home!

This homemade version has all the same creamy, lemony flavors I remember, but with a few tweaks to keep it fresh and light enough for a weeknight dinner.

Cooking the pasta directly in broth and milk is the magic here. It creates a creamy sauce without needing heavy cream, and the starch from the pasta naturally thickens everything into a silky, restaurant-style dish. The Parmesan melts right in, and the broccoli adds that perfect burst of color and freshness!

Before You Get Started

Here are a few helpful notes to read before you begin so your pasta turns out creamy and flavorful every single time.

• Choose the right pasta: Almost any shape works, including regular, whole grain, and high-fiber options like penne, ziti, shells, or spaghetti. Alternative pastas (like chickpea or lentil) should work, but may have a slightly different texture since they haven't been fully tested here.
• Choose your protein: Chicken breast or thighs, both work well. Shrimp is another great option, just cook it gently since shrimp can overcook quickly.
• Use fresh broccoli: Fresh florets hold their bite better than frozen, which can turn soft in a one-pot pasta.
• Grate your own Parmesan: Pre-grated cheese doesn't melt as smoothly and can make the sauce grainy.

How to Make Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta

Follow these general steps to help everything come together easily in one pan.

1. Brown the chicken

Season the chicken and cook it until lightly browned, then set it aside.

Pro tip: Pull the chicken off the heat when it's just shy of done so it stays juicy after simmering in the sauce.

2. Cook the aromatics

Sauté the onion until softened, then add the garlic until fragrant.

3. Simmer the pasta

Add the pasta, broth, dried herbs, and red pepper flakes. Simmer until the liquid is mostly absorbed and the pasta is nearly cooked.

Pro tip: Keep the heat at a gentle simmer to prevent the milk from curdling later on.

4. Add the broccoli

Add the broccoli and a splash of broth, then cover to steam until bright green.

5. Make it creamy

Add the chicken back in along with milk, Parmesan, and lemon juice. Simmer until the sauce thickens.

Recipe Ideas for Chicken Broccoli Pasta

Follow these ideas to customize this recipe to your liking.

• Add pesto: For extra flavor, consider stirring in some store-bought or homemade pesto. This really kicks things up, and the creamy pesto flavor is insane.
• Vegetarian: For a vegetarian version, just leave out the chicken and use vegetable broth instead. You could fold in some chickpeas or white beans for extra protein and fiber.
• Different veggies: If broccoli isn't your favorite veggie, you could use asparagus, cauliflower, broccolini, zucchini, or a combination of your favorite veggies instead.
• Different pasta: You can use pretty much any kind of pasta for this recipe. Many people like it with penne, ziti, or shells since the sauce really sticks to tubular pasta shapes.
• Different cheeses: To switch up the flavors, consider swapping in a different cheese. Creamy goat cheese or feta cheese would taste amazing and totally change the flavor profile of the dish.
• Creamier sauce: For a thicker, creamier sauce, you can use fat-free half and half instead of milk. You can also use canned evaporated skim milk, which is thicker and creamier. This will create more of an Alfredo-style sauce.
• Extra cheesy: For extra cheesy pasta, add some extra Parmesan cheese or melt some mozzarella cheese on top before serving.
• More lemon flavor: For extra lemon flavor, add the zest of the lemon as well.
• Add tomatoes: If you love tomatoes, consider adding a can of drained diced tomatoes to the dish. Halved cherry tomatoes are also really yummy in this dish.
• Creamy red sauce: For a creamy red sauce, add about 1 cup of marinara sauce to the final dish.
• Less spicy: If you don't like things spicy, leave out the red pepper flakes.

Serving Ideas

Here are some delicious sides that pair really well with this creamy pasta.

• Two-Ingredient Dough Breadsticks: Soft, warm, and perfect for soaking up leftover sauce.
• Garlic Knots with Two-Ingredient Dough: A fun, garlicky side that tastes like your favorite pizzeria treat.
• Easy Dinner Rolls with Two-Ingredient Dough: Light, fluffy rolls that balance the creamy pasta perfectly.
• Easy Arugula Salad: Peppery arugula adds a bright, fresh contrast to the rich sauce.
• Healthy Caesar Salad: A lighter Caesar that brings crunch and classic flavor to the plate.

Storage & Reheating

Here's how to store and enjoy leftovers so the pasta stays creamy.

• Store in the fridge: Keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: Not recommended since the sauce can separate.
• Reheat: Warm gently on the stove with a splash of broth or milk to bring the sauce back together.
• Leftovers: Turn leftovers into a creamy pasta bake by adding a sprinkle of mozzarella and reheating in the oven.