Description
Craving something creamy, bold, and a little spicy? This Pesto Chicken Alfredo with Spicy Feta Cream & Parmesan Broccoli Crunch is a mouthful in every sense. Perfect for cozy dinners or next-level meal prep, this easy recipe layers juicy pesto-marinated chicken over rich, feta-kissed Alfredo and finishes with crispy roasted broccoli coated in nutty Parmesan. It’s one of those easy dinner ideas that feels like restaurant-quality comfort food, but comes together effortlessly. Whether you’re hunting for food ideas to impress or just want a satisfying, healthy-ish dish that covers all the flavor bases, this one’s a keeper.
Ingredients
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/3 cup basil pesto
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 teaspoon chili flakes or hot sauce to taste
2 cloves garlic minced
3 cups broccoli florets
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. Marinate the chicken breasts in basil pesto for at least 20 minutes, or up to 8 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) for the broccoli.
3. In a saucepan, heat olive oil and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Add heavy cream, feta, and chili flakes or hot sauce. Simmer until creamy and slightly thickened. Set aside.
4. Toss broccoli florets with olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and Parmesan. Roast on a baking sheet for 18–20 minutes until crispy and golden.
5. Grill or sear marinated chicken over medium-high heat for 5–6 minutes per side until fully cooked. Let rest, then slice.
6. Plate the feta Alfredo sauce, top with sliced chicken, add roasted broccoli, and drizzle with extra pesto if desired.
7. Serve immediately with your choice of side or wine.
8. Store leftovers in airtight containers. Reheat sauce gently and crisp broccoli in oven.
Notes
Use room temperature chicken to ensure even cooking and tenderness.
Taste the feta Alfredo before salting—feta and Parmesan bring plenty of saltiness.
Broil the broccoli for 2 minutes after roasting for an extra-crispy finish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Roasting, Grilling
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
Keywords: easy recipe, dinner ideas, healthy snack, quick dinner, pesto chicken, spicy feta alfredo, broccoli crunch, comfort food, food ideas