This upgraded Knorr Pasta Sides recipe transforms two convenient Alfredo Broccoli packets into a creamy, hearty skillet meal with tender chicken, sweet peas, garlic, Parmesan, and lemon zest.
It is a practical weeknight dinner when you want comforting pasta without making a separate sauce. Everything finishes in one saucepan, and the sauce becomes glossy while the noodles cook.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
About the Ingredients
2 packets (4.4 ounces or 124 g each) Knorr Pasta Sides Alfredo Broccoli
Use the Alfredo Broccoli variety for the intended creamy flavor and built-in seasoning. If unavailable, buy two packets of another creamy Knorr Pasta Sides flavor and adjust the added Parmesan to taste.
2 cups (480 ml) water
Water hydrates the noodles and activates the sauce mix. Use low-sodium chicken broth instead for a deeper savory flavor.
1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
Whole milk gives the sauce its richest texture. Two-percent milk works well, while unsweetened oat milk is a useful dairy-free substitute.
2 tablespoons (28 g) unsalted butter
Butter carries the garlic flavor and rounds out the packet seasoning. Substitute olive oil for a lighter, dairy-free version.
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
Fresh garlic adds savory depth that balances the packaged sauce. Use 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder if fresh cloves are unavailable.
1 cup (150 g) cooked, shredded chicken
Use leftover roasted chicken or a store-bought rotisserie chicken for convenience. Chopped turkey is an easy substitute.
1 cup (145 g) frozen green peas
Frozen peas add sweetness and color without requiring prep. Frozen broccoli florets can replace them if you prefer more vegetable texture.
1/2 cup (50 g) finely grated Parmesan cheese
Freshly grated Parmesan melts more smoothly than shelf-stable grated cheese. Pecorino Romano is a saltier substitution, so taste before adding extra seasoning.
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
Lemon zest brightens the rich Alfredo sauce without making it sour. Use 1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning as a substitute.
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Black pepper adds gentle heat and keeps the creamy sauce from tasting flat. White pepper is a milder-looking alternative.
Tips & Tricks
Prevent scorching
Keep the burner at medium and stir the milk mixture frequently, because the packet sauce thickens quickly on the bottom of the pan.
Avoid watery pasta
Measure the water and milk carefully, then simmer uncovered so excess moisture can evaporate.
Keep the noodles tender
Start checking at 7 minutes and remove the pan as soon as the pasta is tender instead of cooking by appearance alone.
Balance the salt
The packets and Parmesan are already seasoned, so taste after the cheese melts before adding any salt.
Pro Tips
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Gather the ingredients
Measure the water, milk, butter, and Parmesan before starting. Have the cooked chicken and frozen peas ready so they can be added without interrupting the simmer.
2. Sauté the garlic
Place a large saucepan over medium heat at approximately 350°F (175°C) and melt the butter for 1 minute. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more, stirring until fragrant and pale golden rather than browned.
3. Build the sauce
Add the water and milk, then whisk in both pasta-side seasoning packets. Heat to 190°F (88°C) for 4 minutes, stirring often, until the liquid is steaming with tiny bubbles around the edges.
4. Cook the noodles
Bring the mixture to 212°F (100°C), then reduce to a steady simmer and cook uncovered for exactly 8 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes. The noodles should be tender but not mushy, and the sauce should coat the back of a spoon.
5. Add the fillings
Stir in the shredded chicken and frozen peas. Heat at 165°F (74°C) for exactly 3 minutes, stirring once, until the peas are hot and the sauce shows gentle bubbling at the edges.
6. Finish with cheese
Remove the saucepan from the burner and stir in the Parmesan, lemon zest, and black pepper. Let it stand for 2 minutes, until the cheese melts and the sauce looks glossy.
7. Rest and serve
Rest the pasta for 5 minutes so the sauce can thicken and cling to the noodles. Serve warm with extra Parmesan and black pepper if desired.
Delicious Variations
- Swap the chicken for cooked Italian sausage and add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy, smoky version.
- Replace the peas with frozen broccoli and stir in 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes just before serving for a brighter vegetable pasta.
- Make it vegetarian by omitting the chicken and adding 1 cup sliced mushrooms sautéed with the garlic.
How to Store Delicious Knorr Pasta Sides
Refrigerator
Cool leftovers within 2 hours, then store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer
Freeze cooled portions in airtight freezer containers for up to 2 months. The sauce may separate slightly after thawing but will smooth out when reheated gently.
Reheating
Reheat on the stovetop over low heat with 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk per serving, stirring frequently until steaming hot. Microwave covered in 45-second intervals, stirring between intervals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do you make Knorr Pasta Sides taste better?
Add fresh garlic, butter, Parmesan, lemon zest, and a protein such as chicken to make Knorr Pasta Sides taste richer and more complete. Stirring in the cheese off the heat keeps the sauce smooth.
Q: Can you add chicken to Knorr Pasta Sides?
Yes, you can add 1 cup of cooked shredded chicken to Knorr Pasta Sides during the final 3 minutes of cooking. Rotisserie chicken, leftover roast chicken, or cooked turkey all work well.
Q: Can I use milk instead of water in Knorr Pasta Sides?
Yes, use a mixture of water and milk for the best texture, as in this recipe. Using only milk can make the sauce scorch or become overly thick before the noodles soften.
Q: How long do Knorr Pasta Sides leftovers last in the refrigerator?
Knorr Pasta Sides leftovers last up to 3 days in the refrigerator when cooled promptly and stored airtight. Reheat with a splash of milk because the noodles absorb sauce as they chill.
Make this creamy Knorr Pasta Sides skillet tonight, then share your favorite protein or vegetable add-in in the comments.
Delicious Knorr Pasta Sides
Delicious Knorr Pasta Sides turns two pantry packets into creamy garlic-parmesan pasta with chicken, peas, and a satisfying 30-minute family dinner.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 packets (4.4 ounces or 124 g each) Knorr Pasta Sides Alfredo Broccoli
- 2 cups (480 ml) water
- 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
- 2 tablespoons (28 g) unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 cup (150 g) cooked, shredded chicken
- 1 cup (145 g) frozen green peas
- 1/2 cup (50 g) finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
📋 Instructions
- 1Gather the ingredients — Measure the water, milk, butter, and Parmesan before starting. Have the cooked chicken and frozen peas ready so they can be added without interrupting the simmer.
- 2Sauté the garlic — Place a large saucepan over medium heat at approximately 350°F (175°C) and melt the butter for 1 minute. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more, stirring until fragrant and pale golden rather than browned.
- 3Build the sauce — Add the water and milk, then whisk in both pasta-side seasoning packets. Heat to 190°F (88°C) for 4 minutes, stirring often, until the liquid is steaming with tiny bubbles around the edges.
- 4Cook the noodles — Bring the mixture to 212°F (100°C), then reduce to a steady simmer and cook uncovered for exactly 8 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes. The noodles should be tender but not mushy, and the sauce should coat the back of a spoon.
- 5Add the fillings — Stir in the shredded chicken and frozen peas. Heat at 165°F (74°C) for exactly 3 minutes, stirring once, until the peas are hot and the sauce shows gentle bubbling at the edges.
- 6Finish with cheese — Remove the saucepan from the burner and stir in the Parmesan, lemon zest, and black pepper. Let it stand for 2 minutes, until the cheese melts and the sauce looks glossy.
- 7Rest and serve — Rest the pasta for 5 minutes so the sauce can thicken and cling to the noodles. Serve warm with extra Parmesan and black pepper if desired.