Description
A comforting and hearty Chicken Broccoli Pasta recipe featuring tender shredded rotisserie chicken, fresh broccoli florets, and pasta tossed in a creamy Parmesan and mozzarella cheese sauce infused with garlic and Italian seasoning. Ready in just 35 minutes, it combines simple ingredients for a delicious family-friendly dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 1 lb penne pasta
- 4 cups broccoli florets
Protein
- 1 whole rotisserie chicken (3–4 lbs), shredded (about 4 cups)
Sauce
- 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
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta and Broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Add the broccoli florets during the last 3 minutes of cooking time to blanch them simultaneously. Once done, reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and broccoli thoroughly.
- Sauté Onion: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Simmer Sauce Base: Pour in the heavy cream and low-sodium chicken broth, stirring to combine. Let the mixture simmer gently over medium-low heat for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to come together and the sauce to slightly thicken.
- Add Cheeses: Remove the skillet from heat and whisk in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and shredded mozzarella until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Season Sauce: Season the sauce with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to taste. Stir well to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta and broccoli to the skillet with the cheese sauce. Toss gently to fully coat the pasta and broccoli in the creamy sauce.
- Incorporate Chicken: Fold in the shredded rotisserie chicken, ensuring it is evenly distributed throughout the pasta mixture for balanced flavor and texture.
- Adjust Consistency: Gradually add the reserved pasta water a little at a time while tossing, until the sauce reaches a creamy consistency that clings well to the pasta. Finish by stirring in a knob of butter for extra richness.
Notes
- Using a rotisserie chicken saves significant prep time and adds great flavor.
- Reserve pasta water is essential to achieve the perfect sauce consistency without thinning.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and red pepper flakes according to your taste preference.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese yields a better melting texture and flavor compared to pre-grated.
