Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta
A simple and satisfying meal combining rotisserie chicken, tender pasta, and fresh broccoli in a creamy sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Pasta and Vegetables
- 1 lb penne pasta
- 4 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
Chicken and Cheese
- 1 whole rotisserie chicken (3-4 lbs, shredded, about 4 cups meat)
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese (whole milk, shredded)
Sauce and Seasoning
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter Add a cold knob of butter before serving.
- 3 cloves garlic (minced fine)
- 1 medium yellow onion (diced small)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (low-sodium)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional) Adjust based on taste.
Instructions
Preparation
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook penne pasta according to package directions until al dente.
- During the last 3 minutes of cooking, add 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 aside.
Cooking
- 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 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.
- Add drained pasta and broccoli to the creamy sauce, tossing gently to coat evenly, then fold in shredded rotisserie chicken.
- Add reserved pasta water 2 tablespoons at a time until you achieve a creamy, glossy consistency.
- Stir in a cold knob of butter just before serving for a restaurant-quality finish.
Notes
Make sure not to boil the sauce after adding the cheese, as this can make it grainy. Adding a splash of lemon juice before serving can brighten the flavors.