Description
Indulge in this creamy, savory Chicken and Broccoli Penne pasta – a satisfying and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner! Tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and a rich Parmesan cream sauce come together in this easy-to-make recipe. A comforting meal for the whole family!
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
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. In the last 3 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets to the pot. Drain the pasta and broccoli, and set aside. - Cook Chicken:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and cook until golden brown and fully cooked, about 6-7 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. - Make Cream Sauce:
In the same skillet, sauté the minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant. Lower the heat and pour in the heavy cream. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes. - Add Cheese and Seasoning:
Stir in the Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Continue to cook until the sauce thickens slightly. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. - Combine Ingredients:
Return the cooked chicken and broccoli to the skillet, mixing them into the creamy sauce. Add the cooked penne pasta and toss everything together until well combined. - Serve:
Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Make-Ahead: This dish can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Reheat with a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce.
- Storage: Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Customizations: Feel free to add more vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms to enhance the flavor and nutrition.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the dish
- Calories: 475
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg