Description
This creamy broccoli and chicken penne recipe combines tender pasta, succulent chicken, and fresh broccoli in a rich Parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for a cozy dinner, this dish balances hearty protein with vibrant greens in a comforting and flavorful meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 cups broccoli florets
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- to taste salt and pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook Pasta and Broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. In the last 3 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets. Drain the pasta and broccoli, and set aside.
- Cook Chicken: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced chicken breast, seasoning with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until the chicken is browned and fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes.
- Sauté Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the chicken and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Make Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat, and stir in the heavy cream. Let it simmer for about 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked penne and broccoli to the skillet. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten-free.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese yields the best flavor and melting quality.
- Make sure not to overcook broccoli to maintain a slight crispness and vibrant color.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Boiling, Sautéing, Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
Keywords: creamy broccoli chicken pasta, penne pasta recipe, easy chicken pasta, Parmesan chicken pasta, weeknight dinner
