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Creamy rotisserie chicken broccoli pasta dish garnished with herbs

Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta

A delightful combination of flavors with tender pasta, creamy sauce, vibrant broccoli, and juicy rotisserie chicken, perfect for any occasion.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 600

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Vegetables
  • 1 lb penne pasta
  • 4 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
Chicken and Dairy
  • 1 whole rotisserie chicken (3-4 lbs, shredded, about 4 cups meat)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth (low-sodium)
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese (whole milk, shredded)
  • 2 tbsp butter
Seasonings and Oils
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced fine)
  • 1 medium yellow onion (diced small)
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook penne pasta according to package directions until al dente. During the last 3 minutes of cooking time, add broccoli florets directly to the pasta water. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of starchy pasta water in a measuring cup. Drain pasta and broccoli together and set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil and butter in your largest skillet over medium-low heat. Cook diced onion for 4-5 minutes until softened, then add minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Cooking
  1. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer for 2-3 minutes. Look for small bubbles around the edges, not a rolling boil.
  2. Remove skillet from heat completely before adding cheese to prevent graininess. Whisk in Parmesan and mozzarella until completely smooth, then season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
  3. Add drained pasta and broccoli to the creamy sauce, tossing gently with tongs to coat everything evenly. Fold in shredded rotisserie chicken last.
  4. Add reserved pasta water 2 tablespoons at a time until you reach a creamy, glossy consistency. Stir in a cold knob of butter just before serving for a restaurant-quality finish.

Notes

Flavor enhancement by adding fresh herbs like basil or parsley. Customize by swapping out the broccoli for spinach, peas, or bell peppers.