Description
Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta made with rotisserie chicken, tender broccoli, and a rich Parmesan cream sauce. Ready in 35 minutes with over 28 grams of protein per serving.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb penne pasta
- 1 whole rotisserie chicken (3–4 lbs), shredded (about 4 cups meat)
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup whole milk mozzarella, shredded
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook penne until al dente. Add broccoli during the last 3 minutes of cooking.
- Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining, then drain pasta and broccoli together.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Cook onion until soft, then add garlic and cook briefly.
- Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth and let simmer gently for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove skillet from heat and whisk in Parmesan and mozzarella until smooth.
- Stir in Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Add drained pasta and broccoli to the skillet and toss to coat evenly.
- Fold in shredded rotisserie chicken.
- Add reserved pasta water gradually until sauce reaches a creamy consistency.
- Stir in a small knob of cold butter just before serving for a silky finish.
Notes
- Remove skillet from heat before adding cheese to prevent a grainy sauce.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for smoother melting.
- Add pasta water slowly to control sauce consistency.
- Reheat gently with a splash of milk or broth to maintain creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 115mg