Quick & Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Ramen: Your Go-To 30-Minute Weeknight Meal

Searching for a meal that’s both incredibly delicious and incredibly fast? Look no further than this Easy Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Ramen recipe! This dish is a true weeknight hero – budget-friendly, packed with flavor, and astonishingly simple to prepare. You can have a hearty, comforting meal on the table in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy evenings when time is precious but you still want a homemade touch. It’s a fantastic way to transform humble ramen noodles into a gourmet-style dinner that the whole family will love.

Why This Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Ramen Recipe is a Must-Try

This recipe isn’t just about speed; it’s about delivering maximum flavor with minimal effort. Here’s why it deserves a spot in your regular meal rotation:

Unbeatable Convenience: With most ingredients being pantry staples or readily available, you can whip this up without a special trip to the grocery store. It’s perfect for those last-minute dinner decisions.
Budget-Friendly: Ramen noodles are notoriously inexpensive, and when combined with chicken and frozen broccoli, this meal becomes a highly economical choice that doesn’t compromise on taste or nutrition.
Family-Friendly Flavors: The creamy sauce and tender chicken are a hit with picky eaters, and the familiar taste of ramen noodles makes it an approachable dish for all ages. You can easily adjust the seasoning to suit different palates.
Nutrient-Packed: By incorporating lean chicken and nutrient-rich broccoli, this recipe offers a balanced meal. Broccoli adds essential vitamins and fiber, while chicken provides a good source of protein.
Quick to Customize: The beauty of this dish lies in its versatility. You can easily swap out vegetables, add different proteins, or adjust the spice level to create a meal that perfectly fits your preferences.

⏲️ Time Needed to Make This Delicious Dish

One of the biggest selling points of this Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Ramen is its incredible speed. If you’re starting with raw chicken, this satisfying meal can be completely ready and on your table in under 30 minutes. The cooking process is straightforward: brown the chicken, toss in the veggies and soup, and cook the ramen noodles. It’s a true blessing on those hectic weeknights!

For an even faster experience, consider using pre-cooked chicken. If you have leftover roast chicken, rotisserie chicken, or even cooked chicken from your freezer, your dinner preparation time can be slashed dramatically to approximately 10-15 minutes. In this scenario, you’re primarily reheating the chicken with the sauce and vegetables while the noodles cook, making it an almost instant meal solution.

🥘 Essential Ingredients for Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Ramen

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to culinary success. This recipe calls for simple, accessible items that come together to create a rich and satisfying meal. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need:

Boneless, Skinless Chicken Pieces: We recommend about 1 lb. of chicken breast or thigh, cut into bite-sized pieces. This ensures quick and even cooking. Boneless, skinless chicken is a lean protein source that cooks rapidly and absorbs flavors beautifully.
Vegetable Oil: Approximately 1 Tbsp. of vegetable oil (or any high-heat cooking oil like canola or olive oil) is needed for browning the chicken and sautéing the vegetables. It helps to develop a delicious crust on the chicken and tenderize the produce.
Frozen Broccoli Cuts: Two cups of frozen broccoli florets are perfect for convenience. They cook quickly and retain their nutritional value. If you prefer, fresh broccoli florets can also be used; just ensure they are cut into small pieces for faster cooking.
Red Bell Pepper: One medium red bell pepper, chopped, adds a wonderful pop of color, sweetness, and a boost of Vitamin C. Feel free to use other bell pepper colors or a mix for visual appeal and varied flavor.
Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup: This is the secret to the dish’s irresistible creaminess and rich umami flavor. One 10-ounce can provides the perfect base for our sauce, creating a thick, luxurious consistency that coats the chicken and noodles.
Milk: About 5 ounces (approximately ½ of the empty soup can) of milk is used to thin out the condensed soup to a perfect sauce consistency. Any type of milk (dairy or non-dairy like almond or soy) will work here.
Chicken-Flavored Ramen Packages: You’ll need 3 packages of instant chicken-flavored ramen noodles. We’ll be using the noodles from all three packages, but only two of the seasoning packets. This helps manage the sodium level while still infusing that classic ramen flavor into the sauce and noodles.
Water: Enough water is needed to boil the ramen noodles according to package directions.

Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Ramen

Easy Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Ramen is low cost and delicious, and you can have it on the table in under 30 minutes. It’s the perfect solution for a quick and satisfying meal any day of the week.

Author:
Mary Ann

Prep Time
5 mins

Cook Time
20 mins

Total Time
25 mins

Course
Main Dish

Cuisine
American

Servings
4 servings

Calories
254

Ingredients

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken pieces, cut into bite-size pieces
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 cups frozen broccoli cuts
1 red bell pepper, chopped
10 ounces condensed cream of mushroom soup
5 ounces milk (½ of soup can)
3 packages chicken-flavored ramen (you will only use 2 seasoning packets)
Water as needed to boil ramen noodles

Instructions

In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces and brown them thoroughly, stirring occasionally, until they are cooked through and no longer pink inside. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Ensuring the chicken is properly browned adds depth of flavor to the dish.
Once the chicken is cooked, add the frozen broccoli cuts, chopped red bell pepper, and the entire can of condensed cream of mushroom soup to the skillet. Stir everything together gently to combine the ingredients evenly.
Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, for about 5-8 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender-crisp. You don’t want them mushy! Pour in the 5 ounces of milk (using the empty soup can to measure is a convenient trick) and stir well to create a smooth, creamy sauce. Finally, open your ramen packets and add one of the chicken seasoning packets to the sauce mixture, mixing thoroughly to distribute the flavor. Reserve the other seasoning packet for the noodles.
While the chicken and vegetable mixture simmers, bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Add one of the remaining ramen seasoning packets to the boiling water to infuse flavor into the noodles. Break the ramen noodles from all three packages into the seasoned boiling water and cook according to package directions, typically 2-3 minutes, until they are al dente. Drain the noodles thoroughly.
To serve, divide the cooked ramen noodles among plates or bowls. Spoon a generous amount of the creamy chicken and broccoli mixture over the top of the noodles. Garnish with fresh parsley or a sprinkle of black pepper, if desired, for an extra touch. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

If you have cooked chicken on hand (such as leftover rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked chicken from meal prep), you can significantly speed up the cooking process. Simply add the cooked chicken along with the broccoli, bell pepper, and cream of mushroom soup in step 2. You’ll just need to heat it through, skipping the initial browning step. This reduces your total cooking time to about 10-15 minutes, making it an ultra-fast dinner option!

For a lighter sauce, you can use low-fat milk or even chicken broth instead of milk. Adjust consistency as desired.

Nutrition per serving

(Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific brands and ingredients used.)

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Tips for Success and Customization

While this recipe is straightforward, a few tips can elevate your Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Ramen to perfection:

Don’t Overcook the Broccoli: Frozen broccoli cooks quickly. Keep an eye on it to ensure it remains tender-crisp, retaining its vibrant color and texture.
Noodle Preference: Cook your ramen noodles just until al dente. They will continue to soften slightly when mixed with the hot sauce. Overcooked noodles can become mushy.
Adjust Creaminess: If you prefer a thinner sauce, add a splash more milk or chicken broth until it reaches your desired consistency. For a thicker sauce, let it simmer gently for a few extra minutes.
Spice It Up: For those who love a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce, or a dash of sriracha when serving.
Make it a Meal Prep Star: This dish can be prepped in advance! Cook the chicken and sauce mixture, and store it separately from the cooked noodles. Reheat the sauce gently and combine with freshly cooked or reheated noodles for a quick lunch or dinner.

Variations to Explore

Get creative with this recipe! Here are some ideas to customize your creamy ramen:

Protein Power:
- Shrimp: Add raw shrimp in the last 5 minutes of cooking the sauce, or pre-cooked shrimp to simply heat through.
- Tofu: Press and cube firm tofu, then pan-fry until golden before adding to the sauce mixture.
- Leftover Turkey: A great way to use up holiday leftovers, just shred and add with the sauce.
Veggies Galore:
- Spinach or Kale: Wilt in a handful of fresh spinach or chopped kale during the last couple of minutes of simmering.
- Carrots: Add shredded or finely diced carrots with the broccoli for extra sweetness and crunch.
- Mushrooms: Sauté fresh sliced mushrooms with the chicken for an earthy flavor.
- Peas: Stir in frozen peas with the broccoli for another quick veggie boost.
Flavor Boosters:
- Garlic & Onion: Sauté minced garlic and chopped onion before adding the chicken for an aromatic base.
- Cheese: Stir in a handful of shredded Parmesan cheese at the end for an even richer, cheesier sauce.
- Herbs: Fresh chopped chives or cilantro can add a burst of freshness when sprinkled on top.
Noodle Alternatives: While ramen is classic, feel free to use other quick-cooking noodles like udon or even spaghetti broken into shorter pieces if you’re out of ramen.

📌 Pin This Recipe for Later

Loved this recipe? Make sure to save it so you can whip it up again and again! Pin this delicious Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Ramen to your favorite Pinterest board for quick access to your new go-to weeknight meal. It’s a fantastic addition to any “30-minute meals” or “weeknight dinners” collection!

With its delightful creaminess, tender chicken, and crisp broccoli, all served over comforting ramen noodles, this dish promises to be a satisfying and convenient meal for any occasion. Give it a try tonight and discover your new favorite quick dinner solution!