1. 1. Prepare the Chicken and Saute Aromatics: Start by patting your cubed chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. Season them with salt, pepper, and half of the Italian seasoning. Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned on all sides. The chicken doesn’t need to be cooked through at this stage. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

2. 2. Build the Flavor Base: In the same skillet, add the chopped yellow onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until it softens and becomes translucent. This step extracts the sweet flavors from the onion. Add the minced garlic and the remaining Italian seasoning, cooking for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.

3. 3. Add Pasta and Broth: Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan – this adds extra flavor. Stir in the uncooked pasta. Make sure the pasta is mostly submerged in the liquid.

4. 4. Simmer and Cook Pasta: Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 10-12 minutes, or according to package directions, stirring occasionally. The pasta should be al dente, meaning it’s tender but still has a slight bite. Keep an eye on the liquid level; if it gets too low before the pasta is cooked, you can add a splash more broth or water.

5. 5. Incorporate Broccoli and Chicken: Once the pasta is nearly cooked, stir in the broccoli florets and the reserved cooked chicken. If using frozen broccoli, there’s no need to thaw it first. Cover the skillet again and continue to cook for another 3-5 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender-crisp and the chicken is fully cooked through.

6. 6. Finish with Creaminess and Cheese: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and the heavy cream (if using). Mix until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes if desired. Serve immediately.