Description
This Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender shredded rotisserie chicken, fresh broccoli florets, and a luscious creamy Parmesan and mozzarella cheese sauce. Ready in just 35 minutes, it’s a perfect weeknight meal that combines ease with deliciousness in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 1 lb penne pasta
- 4 cups broccoli florets
Chicken
- 1 whole rotisserie chicken, shredded
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta and Broccoli: Boil the penne pasta in salted water according to package directions. Add the broccoli florets during the last 3 minutes of cooking. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water for later use.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium-low heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened. Then add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Prepare the Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth into the skillet, stirring gently. Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes to reduce slightly and blend the flavors.
- Add Cheeses and Season: Remove the skillet from heat and whisk in the grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella cheeses until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes to taste.
- Toss Together: Add the drained pasta and broccoli to the skillet with the sauce. Incorporate the shredded rotisserie chicken, tossing everything together to coat well. Adjust the sauce consistency by adding some of the reserved pasta water as needed. Serve the pasta hot.
Notes
- Using rotisserie chicken saves time and adds great flavor.
- Reserve pasta water helps to adjust the sauce creaminess and helps it cling to the pasta better.
- Feel free to substitute penne with other pasta shapes like rigatoni or fusilli.
- For a lighter version, you can use half-and-half instead of heavy cream but the sauce will be less rich.
- Add crushed red pepper flakes for additional heat if desired.
