This light chicken broccoli alfredo recipe is a weeknight dinner dream come true for busy families.

It delivers all the comforting flavors of classic chicken fettuccine alfredo but with a lighter touch, making it a perfect choice when you crave something satisfying yet not too heavy.

Get ready to whip up a homemade pasta dish that’s both delicious and incredibly quick. This recipe focuses on fresh ingredients and simple steps, ensuring a stress-free cooking experience even on your busiest evenings.

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Time Needed From Start To Finish
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This recipe is a true winner for anyone seeking a delicious and easy weeknight meal. It’s perfect for families because it combines crowd-pleasing flavors – tender chicken, vibrant broccoli, and creamy alfredo sauce – in a way that even picky eaters often enjoy. You’ll love how quickly it comes together, making it an ideal solution for those evenings when time is short but you still want a homemade dinner on the table. It’s a comforting pasta dish that feels indulgent without being overly heavy, thanks to a few clever adjustments to the traditional alfredo. Serve it as a complete meal on its own, or pair it with a simple side salad for a balanced and satisfying dinner.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients ahead of time makes the cooking process smooth and enjoyable. This recipe uses readily available items you can find at any grocery store, ensuring you can whip it up without a special shopping trip.

INGREDIENTS:

12 ounces fettuccine pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 cups broccoli florets (about 1 large head)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups skim milk
1/2 cup chicken broth
4 ounces light cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)

For simple substitutions, you can easily swap chicken breasts for boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer. If you don’t have skim milk, 1% or 2% milk will also work, though it will add a little more richness. Vegetable broth can be used in place of chicken broth for a slightly different flavor profile. Feel free to use frozen broccoli florets if fresh isn’t available; just make sure to thaw them first or add them directly to the boiling pasta water for the last few minutes of cooking. Brand-neutral options are always fine; use your favorite brand of pasta and cheese.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

This recipe is designed for speed and efficiency, making it perfect for busy evenings.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

These times are estimates and can vary slightly depending on how quickly you chop vegetables and chicken, but with a little organization, you can easily have this delicious meal on the table in under 40 minutes.

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Follow these straightforward steps to create a delicious and light chicken broccoli alfredo that your family will love.

Cook the Fettuccine and Broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the fettuccine and cook according to package directions until al dente. During the last 3-4 minutes of the pasta cooking time, add the broccoli florets to the boiling water with the pasta. This ensures the broccoli is tender-crisp. Once cooked, drain the pasta and broccoli well and set aside.
Prepare the Chicken: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken breast and season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and lightly browned. The chicken should no longer be pink in the center. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set it aside, leaving any drippings in the pan.
Sauté the Garlic: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter quickly.
Whisk in the Liquids: Gradually whisk in the skim milk and chicken broth into the skillet. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.
Create the Light Alfredo Sauce: Reduce the heat to low. Add the softened light cream cheese to the simmering liquid and whisk continuously until the cream cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed; you might want a pinch more salt or pepper.
Combine All Ingredients: Return the cooked chicken, drained fettuccine, and broccoli to the skillet with the alfredo sauce. Toss everything gently to ensure the pasta, chicken, and broccoli are evenly coated with the creamy sauce.
Serve Immediately: Divide the chicken broccoli alfredo among serving plates. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

This light chicken broccoli alfredo is wonderfully versatile, making it easy to adapt to different tastes and occasions. For kid-friendly ideas, you can cut the chicken into smaller, bite-sized pieces and ensure the broccoli is cooked until very tender. Some children might prefer less sauce, so you can always serve a little on the side.

Add More Veggies: Sautéed mushrooms, spinach (add at the very end to wilt), or bell peppers can be lovely additions.
Spice It Up: A pinch of red pepper flakes added to the sauce will give it a subtle kick.
Different Pasta: While fettuccine is classic, penne, rotini, or even spaghetti work beautifully with this sauce.
Protein Swap: Leftover rotisserie chicken can be shredded and added at the end to save even more time. Shrimp also makes a fantastic alternative; simply cook it quickly in the skillet before making the sauce.

For serving, this dish is hearty enough on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette or some crusty garlic bread for soaking up any extra sauce. For a party or buffet, keep it warm in a slow cooker on the “warm” setting, stirring occasionally. Optional toppings include extra grated Parmesan, a drizzle of good quality olive oil, or a sprinkle of fresh basil in addition to parsley.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls. Being aware of these can help ensure your light chicken broccoli alfredo turns out perfectly every time.

Overcooking the Pasta: Overcooked pasta becomes mushy and loses its texture. Always cook pasta according to package directions, aiming for al dente, which means it still has a slight bite to it. Since the broccoli cooks with the pasta, ensure you add it only for the last few minutes to prevent it from becoming too soft.
Burning the Garlic: Minced garlic can burn very quickly, especially in a hot pan. Keep the heat at medium or low when sautéing garlic and cook it only until fragrant, about 1 minute. Burnt garlic will impart a bitter taste to your sauce.
Lumpy Sauce: When adding the cream cheese, make sure it’s softened to room temperature. This helps it melt smoothly into the sauce. Whisk continuously as you add it to prevent lumps. Similarly, add the Parmesan cheese gradually and stir until fully melted.
Over-Thickening the Sauce: This “light” alfredo is designed to be a bit thinner than traditional versions. If your sauce seems too thick, you can thin it out with a splash more skim milk or chicken broth until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, let it simmer gently for a few more minutes to reduce slightly, but be careful not to reduce it too much.
Dry Chicken: Overcooked chicken breasts can become dry and tough. Cook the chicken just until it’s no longer pink in the center and has a light golden-brown sear. Removing it from the pan once cooked and adding it back at the end helps keep it tender.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

This light chicken broccoli alfredo is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers are still delicious and can be stored properly.

For storage, allow the dish to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The sauce may thicken slightly upon cooling, and the pasta might absorb more of the sauce, but this is normal.

To reheat, gently warm the alfredo on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave. If reheating on the stovetop, add a splash of milk or chicken broth (1-2 tablespoons

FAQs

Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.

Light Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Recipe

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