Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta
A quick and flavorful pasta dish featuring rotisserie chicken, fresh broccoli, and a creamy sauce, perfect for busy days.
Ingredients
Pasta and Broccoli
- 1 lb penne pasta
- 4 cups broccoli florets fresh or frozen
Chicken
- 1 whole rotisserie chicken (3-4 lbs, shredded) about 4 cups meat
Sauce and Seasoning
- 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
Cooking Pasta and Broccoli
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil.
- Cook the penne pasta according to package directions until al dente.
- During the last 3 minutes of cooking time, add the broccoli florets directly to the pasta water.
- Before draining, reserve 1 cup of starchy pasta water in a measuring cup.
- Drain the pasta and broccoli together and set aside.
Making the Sauce
- Heat olive oil and butter in your largest skillet over medium-low heat.
- Cook the diced onion for 4-5 minutes until softened, then add minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove the skillet from heat completely before adding cheese to prevent graininess.
- Whisk in Parmesan and mozzarella until completely smooth, then season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
Combining Ingredients
- Add the drained pasta and broccoli to the creamy sauce, tossing gently with tongs to coat everything evenly.
- Fold in shredded rotisserie chicken last.
- Add reserved pasta water 2 tablespoons at a time until you reach a creamy, glossy consistency.
- Stir in a cold knob of butter just before serving for a restaurant-quality finish.
Notes
Make sure to reserve some pasta water before draining. It helps create a creamy sauce. Don’t rush the addition of cheese; removing the skillet from heat first prevents grainy cheese. Adjust the red pepper flakes for your desired spice level.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 560kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 32gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 15gSodium: 800mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2g