Description
Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Penne is a comforting and delicious pasta dish combining tender chicken, fresh broccoli florets, and penne pasta all enveloped in a rich and velvety Parmesan cream sauce. This quick 30-minute meal is perfect for weeknight dinners and garnished with fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 cups broccoli florets
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Essentials
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the penne pasta. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically about 10-12 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Steam the Broccoli: In the last 3-4 minutes of the pasta cooking time, add the broccoli florets to the boiling water with the pasta to steam lightly. Drain broccoli together with the pasta.
- Sauté Chicken: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken breast, season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika. Cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through, stirring occasionally.
- Add Garlic: Add minced garlic to the skillet with the chicken. Cook for 1 minute more until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Prepare Cream Sauce: Reduce heat to medium, pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer and let the sauce thicken slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
- Incorporate Cheese and Broccoli: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth. Add drained broccoli florets to the skillet and gently toss to coat.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained penne pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together so the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy sauce and mixed with chicken and broccoli.
- Season and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a mixture of milk and cream.
- You can add red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and texture.
- This dish can be made gluten-free by opting for gluten-free pasta.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
