Description
🧀 Enjoy a creamy, cheesy pasta dish that combines tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and fragrant basil for a comforting dinner.
🍝 The one‑pot method saves time and cleanup while delivering rich flavor in under an hour.
Ingredients
1 cup panko-style breadcrumbs
2 cups grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
3 oz sliced prosciutto
3 Tbsp olive oil, divided
2 Tbsp butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
A pinch of chili flakes
1 lb short pasta such as penne or fusilli
2 cups fresh broccoli florets
1 1/2 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup cream cheese
Basil (add fresh torn basil to taste for finishing)
Instructions
1-Getting started with this Parmesan Chicken Florentine: Begin by preparing your ingredients: wash the spinach if needed, mince the garlic, and grate the Parmesan cheese. Pat the chicken breasts dry and season them with a mix of the grated Parmesan, onion powder, and garlic powder for that extra flavor boost.
2-Next, heat 1 Tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the sliced prosciutto. Cook it until it’s crisp, which takes about 5 minutes, then set it aside on a paper towel. This step adds a savory crunch that elevates the whole dish.
3-Now, for the chicken: Add the remaining 2 Tbsp of olive oil to the skillet and sear the coated chicken pieces in batches. Cook each side for about 5-8 minutes until they’re golden-brown and fully cooked. Keep them warm while you move on.
4-Then, it’s time for the one-pot pasta magic. In a large pot, melt 2 Tbsp of butter over medium heat and sauté the minced garlic with a pinch of chili flakes for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Pour in 4 cups of water, bring it to a boil, and season with 1 tsp salt before adding the pasta and broccoli florets. Cook for around 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, and don’t drain it the liquid helps thicken the sauce.
5-Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the heavy cream and cream cheese. Let it cook for 4-5 minutes until the sauce thickens nicely. Finally, remove from heat, mix in the remaining grated Parmesan until it’s melted and glossy, then fold in some torn basil. Serve by dividing the pasta among plates, topping with the chicken and crispy prosciutto. For more pasta inspiration, try our delicious shrimp scampi pasta recipe for a seafood variation.
Notes
🐔 Slice chicken thin or butterfly whole breasts to ensure quick, even cooking.
🥓 Cooking prosciutto first infuses the oil with savory depth, enhancing the chicken flavor.
🍝 The one‑pot technique retains pasta starch, naturally thickening the cream sauce without extra thickeners.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Prep: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One‑Pot
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approximately 1 cup pasta with chicken)
- Calories: 437 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
Keywords: Parmesan, Chicken, Florentine, Broccoli Pasta
