Description
A comforting creamy pasta dish combining rotisserie chicken and broccoli for a quick, savory meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb penne pasta
- 1 whole rotisserie chicken (3–4 lbs, shredded about 4 cups meat)
- 4 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic (minced fine)
- 1 medium yellow onion (diced small)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese (whole milk, shredded)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to package directions until al dente. During the last 3 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets directly to the pasta water.
- Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water in a measuring cup. Drain the pasta and broccoli together and set them aside.
- In your largest skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium-low heat. Sauté the diced onion for 4-5 minutes until softened, then add the minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Next, pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, allowing it to come to a gentle simmer for 2-3 minutes. Look for small bubbles forming around the edges.
- Remove the skillet from heat completely before adding the cheese to prevent graininess. Whisk in the Parmesan and mozzarella until the mixture is completely smooth, then stir in the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Toss the drained pasta and broccoli in the creamy sauce using tongs until everything is perfectly coated. Gently fold in the shredded rotisserie chicken last.
- To achieve a creamy, glossy consistency, gradually add the reserved pasta water a couple of tablespoons at a time. For an extra touch, stir in a knob of cold butter just before serving.
- Serve this delightful pasta hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese or a sprinkle of fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
For extra flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese and feel free to add more vegetables like bell peppers or spinach.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: creamy pasta, chicken pasta, broccoli pasta, easy dinner, comforting meal