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Creamy rotisserie chicken broccoli pasta dish garnished with herbs.

Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta

A comforting dish featuring tender penne pasta, succulent rotisserie chicken, and vibrant broccoli enveloped in a rich, creamy sauce, perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 550
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Vegetables
  • 1 lb penne pasta
  • 4 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
Main Ingredients
  • 1 whole rotisserie chicken (3-4 lbs, shredded, about 4 cups meat)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced fine)
  • 1 medium yellow onion (diced small)
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth (low-sodium)
Cheeses and Seasoning
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese (whole milk, shredded)
  • 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 a boil and cook the penne pasta according to package directions until al dente.
  2. During the last 3 minutes of cooking time, add the broccoli florets directly to the pasta water.
  3. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of starchy pasta water in a measuring cup. Drain the pasta and broccoli together and set aside.
Cooking
  1. Heat olive oil and butter in your largest skillet over medium-low heat.
  2. Cook the diced onion for 4-5 minutes until softened, then add the minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer for 2-3 minutes.
  4. Remove the skillet from heat completely before adding cheese to prevent graininess. Whisk in the Parmesan and mozzarella until completely smooth.
  5. Season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
  6. Add the drained pasta and broccoli to the creamy sauce, tossing gently with tongs to coat everything evenly.
  7. Fold in the shredded rotisserie chicken last.
  8. Add the reserved pasta water 2 tablespoons at a time until you reach a creamy, glossy consistency.
  9. Stir in a cold knob of butter just before serving for a restaurant-quality finish.

Notes

For extra flavor, consider adding sun-dried tomatoes or roasted red peppers. You can customize it with different vegetables or cheeses as per your taste.