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Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta

A comforting dish that combines tender pasta, flavorful rotisserie chicken, and vibrant broccoli in a rich and creamy sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

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

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook penne pasta according to package directions until al dente, adding broccoli florets during the last 3 minutes of cooking.
  2. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of starchy pasta water. Drain pasta and broccoli together and set aside.
  3. Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Cook diced onion for 4-5 minutes until softened, then add minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer for 2-3 minutes.
  5. Remove the skillet from heat before adding cheese to prevent graininess. Whisk in Parmesan and mozzarella until smooth, seasoning with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
  6. Add drained pasta and broccoli to the creamy sauce, toss gently to coat, and fold in the shredded rotisserie chicken last.
  7. Add reserved pasta water 2 tablespoons at a time until reaching a creamy consistency. Stir in a cold knob of butter just before serving.

Notes

For a lighter dish, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream. This dish can be customized with different vegetables or pasta types.

  • Author: jessica-baker
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Meat

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 500mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 80mg

Keywords: creamy pasta, rotisserie chicken, broccoli, easy dinner, weeknight meal