Chicken and Broccoli with Alfredo Sauce is the ultimate weeknight dinner. It’s easy to throw together with just a few simple ingredients and is on the table in less than 20 minutes!
If you’re looking for a quick, fast and in-a-hurry kinda dinner, then you’re in luck. But if you’re looking for a quick, fast and in-a-hurry kinda dinner that is also downright delicious and easy to make with few and simple ingredients, then you’re in double luck! This Chicken and Broccoli with Alfredo Sauce may be a keto lover’s dream but trust me when I say that it’ll have the whole entire family begging for seconds. It’s great on top of cauliflower rice or riced veggies for those on keto but equally good a-top a plate of fettuccine or spaghetti for those who are not. Heck, it’s so dang good, I’ll even eat it all on its own! And you better believe that I’ll be licking the plate clean while I’m at it!
If you know me personally or have read enough of my blog posts (that’s pretty much the same thing, isn’t it?!), you’re probably well aware of my borderline obsession with any sauce that is creamy, white, and downright delicious. I’m not shy about it — I could probably down a whole bottle of ranch dressing without blinking. And let’s talk about Alfredo sauce, shall we? It’s not just a sauce; it’s a love affair. And one I take VERY seriously.
So if you, too, are a lover of white creamy sauces or if you just so happen to be a fan of getting an amazing dinner on the table pronto, you NEED to make this creamy Chicken and Broccoli with Alfredo Sauce. And the best part? It’s a breeze to whip up with just a handful of everyday ingredients.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI WITH ALFREDO SAUCE
With such simple and minimal ingredients, it’s almost too hard to believe that you can get fresh, delicious and keto friendly chicken and broccoli in alfredo sauce that feels like it came out of your favourite restaurant! Let’s discuss the exact ingredients you’ll need to pull it altogether in a little bit more detail down below:
- Chicken: One of the star components of this chicken and broccoli with alfredo sauce recipe. Choose boneless and skinless chicken breasts for a lean source of protein. PRO TIP: Slice them into strips or cut them into chunks for quicker and more even cooking.
- Broccoli: The other star of the show in this recipe. Broccoli is a nutrient dense vegetable that is rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber. It adds texture and flavour to the dish.
- Garlic: Provides a delicious aromatic flavour to the dish. Therefore, fresh minced garlic works best in this recipe.
- Heavy Cream: A high-fat, low-carb dairy option that forms the base of the Alfredo sauce. It adds richness and creaminess to the dish.
- Parmesan Cheese: Grated Parmesan cheese is a key ingredient in Alfredo sauce, providing a salty and nutty flavour. It’s also low in lactose, making it suitable for a keto diet. Freshly grated parmesan cheese (that you grate yourself) works best in this recipe.
- Olive Oil: Used for cooking the chicken and sautéing garlic and ensuring neither stick to the pan. Olive oil adds healthy monounsaturated fats and a rich flavour to the dish. However, you can use a different oil (such as avocado) instead, if you prefer.
- Salt and Pepper: Used to season the dish to taste. Adjust the amounts according to your preferences.
- Parsley: A garnish that adds a burst of freshness and colour to the finished dish. Optional, but if you ask me it also complements the flavours of the Alfredo sauce. Therefore, fresh chopped parsley works best in this recipe.
HOW TO MAKE KETO FRIENDLY CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI WITH ALFREDO SAUCE (KEY TIPS)
You can find full instructions for how to make this keto recipe for chicken and broccoli with alfredo sauce in the recipe card down below, but here are a few quick tips to keep in mind:
- Chop and measure all your ingredients before you start cooking. This makes the cooking process smoother and helps prevent overcooking while you gather everything.
- Ensure that you cut the chicken into even size strips or chunks so that they cook uniformly and in the same amount of time. This prevents some pieces from being overcooked while waiting for others to cook through.
- Sear the chicken in the skillet until it develops a golden-brown crust. This adds flavour to the dish. EXTRA TIP: Don’t overcrowd the pan to allow proper searing. Work in batches if you have to.
- Cook the broccoli until it is tender but still has a slight crunch (al dente). This helps retain its nutrients and vibrant colour. Overcooked broccoli can become mushy. EXTRA TIP: Like the chicken, it’s important to keep the broccoli florets around the same size so they cook evenly and in the same amount of time.
- For the best flavour and texture, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese (that you grate yourself) rather than pre-packaged grated cheese.
- When making the Alfredo sauce, use low to medium heat to avoid curdling the heavy cream. Stir continuously to ensure a smooth and creamy sauce.
- Garnish just before serving. Add fresh parsley just before serving to maintain its bright colour and flavour. It adds a final touch of freshness to the dish.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The main difference between Chicken Alfredo and Fettuccine Alfredo lies in the additional ingredient: chicken. Fettuccine Alfredo is a classic Italian pasta dish consisting of fettuccine pasta noodles tossed in a creamy Alfredo sauce. The Alfredo sauce is typically made with butter, heavy cream, and grated Parmesan cheese. Chicken Alfredo is an extension of Fettuccine Alfredo with the addition of cooked chicken. In this dish, sliced or diced chicken is cooked separately and then added to the Fettuccine Alfredo to create a more substantial and protein-rich meal.
Alfredo sauce pairs well with a variety of vegetables, adding colour, texture, and nutritional value to the dish. Judging by this recipe, you should already know that my favourite vegetable to pair with alfredo sauce is broccoli! However, here are some of my other favs: mushrooms, spinach, asparagus, peas or sun-dried tomatoes.
The serving size of Chicken Broccoli Alfredo can vary based on personal preferences, dietary needs, and the overall composition of the meal (i.e. what you choose to serve it with). However, a typical serving size for Chicken Broccoli Alfredo is about 1 cup to 1.5 cups per person.
If stored in an airtight container and kept in the fridge, Chicken Broccoli Alfredo will typically last up to 4 days. When ready to eat again, simply do so in a skillet over medium heat until the sauce is back to its original creaminess and consistency. Alternatively, you can use a microwave.
KETO CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI WITH ALFREDO SAUCE
Chicken and Broccoli with Alfredo Sauce is the ultimate weeknight dinner. It's easy to throw together with just a few simple ingredients and is on the table in less than 20 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 lb Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, cut into chunks or strips
- 1 head Broccoli (~3 cups), cut into florets
- 2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- Fresh Parsley, chopped, optional, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chicken and cook a few minutes per side until browned and cooked through. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside on a paper towel lined plate.
- In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for a minute until fragrant.
- Add broccoli florets to the skillet and cook until slightly tender, stirring occasionally.
- Pour in heavy cream and salt and pepper, stir, and bring it to a simmer.
- Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet and let it simmer for a few more minutes until everything is heated through. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1181Total Fat: 79gSaturated Fat: 39gTrans Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 33gCholesterol: 370mgSodium: 1328mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 6gSugar: 6gProtein: 93g
Nutrition is only an estimate and calculated using Nutritionix.
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