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To make chicken and shrimp alfredo with broccoli, you cook the pasta and broccoli, pan-sear the seasoned chicken and shrimp, and then toss everything together in a rich, creamy homemade alfredo sauce.
It’s a fantastic weeknight dinner that feels like a restaurant-quality meal but comes together easily in your own kitchen.
If you’ve been searching for a comforting, protein-packed pasta dish, this recipe for chicken and shrimp alfredo with broccoli is exactly what you need.
This dish combines juicy chicken, tender shrimp, and vibrant broccoli with fettuccine in a velvety parmesan sauce.
In this post, we’ll walk you through exactly how to make chicken and shrimp alfredo with broccoli, including tips for perfectly cooked protein and a sauce that won’t break.
Let’s get cooking.
How to Make Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo with Broccoli
Making chicken and shrimp alfredo with broccoli is a straightforward process once you break it down into a few simple steps.
The key is to prep your ingredients and cook each component perfectly before combining them at the end.
Here is the breakdown of how to make this delicious meal.
1. Prep and Cook Your Protein
Start by seasoning your chicken breasts or thighs with salt, pepper, and a little garlic powder.
Heat some olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken until golden brown and cooked through.
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside to rest before slicing it into strips.
In the same skillet, add a little butter and sauté your shrimp for just a minute or two on each side until they turn pink and opaque.
Be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as they can become rubbery.
Remove the shrimp and set them aside with the chicken.
2. Perfect the Alfredo Sauce
The heart of any chicken and shrimp alfredo with broccoli recipe is the sauce.
In the same skillet you used for the protein, melt a generous amount of butter over medium heat.
Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Pour in heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer.
Let the cream reduce slightly, then whisk in freshly grated parmesan cheese and a pinch of nutmeg.
Keep whisking until the sauce is smooth and has thickened to a beautiful, creamy consistency.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Cook Pasta and Broccoli
While you’re working on the sauce and protein, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Cook your fettuccine or your favorite pasta according to the package directions until al dente.
During the last two to three minutes of cooking, add your broccoli florets to the boiling water with the pasta.
This blanches the broccoli perfectly, making it tender-crisp and bright green.
Before draining, reserve about a cup of the starchy pasta water; this is liquid gold for adjusting the sauce’s consistency later.
Drain the pasta and broccoli and set them aside.
Combining Your Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo with Broccoli
Now it’s time to bring all the elements of your chicken and shrimp alfredo with broccoli together.
Add the cooked pasta and broccoli directly into the skillet with the creamy alfredo sauce.
Toss everything gently to coat the pasta and broccoli evenly in the sauce.
If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
Finally, return the sliced chicken and cooked shrimp to the skillet.
Give everything one last gentle toss and let it heat through for a minute.
Tips for the Best Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo with Broccoli
To ensure your chicken and shrimp alfredo with broccoli turns out perfectly every time, keep these tips in mind.
1. Use Freshly Grated Parmesan
Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly.
For the creamiest sauce, always grate a block of real parmesan cheese yourself.
2. Don’t Overcook the Shrimp
Shrimp cook incredibly fast.
As soon as they curl into a ‘C’ shape and turn pink, they are done.
Overcooked shrimp will be tough and chewy, detracting from the overall dish.
3. Reserve That Pasta Water
The starchy water from cooking the pasta is the secret to a perfect sauce.
It helps the sauce cling to the noodles and allows you to thin it out without losing any flavor.
So, How Do You Make Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo with Broccoli?
You make chicken and shrimp alfredo with broccoli by cooking the pasta and broccoli, pan-searing the chicken and shrimp, and then combining everything with a rich, homemade alfredo sauce.
It’s a simple yet impressive dish that’s perfect for a cozy dinner at home.
We hope this guide has shown you how easy and rewarding it is to make chicken and shrimp alfredo with broccoli from scratch.
Enjoy your delicious, homemade meal.