Description
A comforting and hearty pasta dish featuring penne, rotisserie chicken, and broccoli in a rich, creamy sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
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 chicken broth (low-sodium)
- 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
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook until al dente according to package directions. With three minutes left, toss in broccoli.
- Before draining, scoop out 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain pasta and broccoli together.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium-low heat. Sauté diced onion for 4-5 minutes until soft, then add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add heavy cream and chicken broth to the skillet and simmer gently for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from heat, whisk in Parmesan and mozzarella until smooth. Add Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
- Combine drained pasta and broccoli with the sauce, using tongs to toss until coated. Gently fold in shredded rotisserie chicken.
- Stir in reserved pasta water until the desired creamy texture is reached. Incorporate a cold knob of butter for extra richness before serving.
Notes
You can swap the penne for your favorite pasta shape, or use leftover vegetables.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Creamy Pasta, Chicken Pasta, Rotisserie Chicken, Broccoli Dish, Family Meal, Quick Dinner