Description
This Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Penne is a delicious and comforting pasta dish combining tender chicken, crisp broccoli, and perfectly cooked penne in a rich, creamy Parmesan sauce. Ready in just 40 minutes, it’s perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Protein and Vegetables
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Pasta
- 8 ounces penne pasta
Sauces and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving ½ cup of the pasta water for later use.
- Sear chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the diced chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika. Add to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same skillet, add butter, chopped onions, and minced garlic. Sauté for about 3 minutes until the onions are translucent and fragrant.
- Cook broccoli: Add the broccoli florets and a splash of water to the skillet. Cover and steam the broccoli for 3–4 minutes until it is tender-crisp.
- Make sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Let the mixture simmer for 2–3 minutes until it slightly thickens. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts smoothly into the sauce.
- Combine all: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the cooked penne pasta and toss everything together to coat evenly with the creamy sauce. Adjust the sauce consistency by adding some reserved pasta water if needed. Season with crushed red pepper flakes, additional salt, and pepper to taste.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top. Serve immediately while warm and enjoy your creamy broccoli and chicken penne.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency for a perfectly creamy texture.
- To keep the chicken moist, avoid overcooking during searing.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- Add crushed red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and meltability.
- The broccoli can be substituted with other greens like spinach or asparagus if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American