Creamy Broccoli & Chicken Penne – Cozy, Creamy & Ready in 30 Minutes

Juicy chicken, tender penne, and crisp broccoli tossed in a silky, garlicky cream sauce—your perfect quick and comforting weeknight dinner!

🎉 Introduction

This Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Penne is everything you want in a hearty pasta dish: perfectly cooked penne pasta, golden seared chicken, and bright green broccoli florets all coated in a luscious, cheesy cream sauce. It’s quick, easy, and guaranteed to become a family favorite! 🍝✨

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Large pot
• Large skillet
• Colander
• Mixing spoon
• Knife & cutting board
• Measuring cups & spoons

🛒 Ingredients

🍝 Main Ingredients

• 8 oz penne pasta
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

🥣 Cream Sauce

• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp flour (optional for thicker sauce)
• Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional for heat)

🌿 Optional Garnish

• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Extra grated parmesan

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Cook Pasta & Broccoli

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Add penne pasta; cook according to package instructions.
3. Add broccoli in the last 3 minutes of pasta cooking time.
4. Drain pasta and broccoli; set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

1. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add chicken; season with salt and pepper.
3. Cook 6–8 minutes until golden and cooked through.
4. Add minced garlic; sauté 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 3: Make the Cream Sauce

1. Reduce heat to medium.
2. Melt butter in the skillet; whisk in flour if using and cook 1 minute.
3. Slowly stir in chicken broth; cook 2 minutes.
4. Add cream; simmer until slightly thickened (3–4 minutes).
5. Stir in parmesan until melted and sauce is smooth.
6. Add red pepper flakes if you like a spicy kick.

Step 4: Combine Everything

1. Add cooked pasta and broccoli to the skillet with chicken and sauce.
2. Toss until everything is well coated and heated through.

Step 5: Serve

• Divide into bowls; top with parsley and extra parmesan.
• Enjoy immediately!

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 4
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: ~30 minutes

🥄 Variations

• Lighter Version: Use milk instead of cream.
• Cheesy Twist: Add mozzarella for extra gooeyness.
• Veggie Boost: Stir in mushrooms or spinach.
• Low-Carb: Swap pasta for zucchini noodles.

🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Fridge: Store in airtight container up to 4 days.
• Reheat: Microwave or warm in a skillet with a splash of broth or cream.
• Freezer: Not recommended; sauce may separate.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I use rotisserie chicken?
   Yes—skip cooking chicken and stir in shredded rotisserie chicken in Step 4.
2. Can I use frozen broccoli?
   Definitely—just add directly to boiling pasta water.
3. What pasta works best?
   Penne, rigatoni, or farfalle.
4. Can I make it dairy-free?
   Use coconut cream or plant-based cream and cheese.
5. How do I make it extra creamy?
   Add more cream or a dollop of cream cheese.
6. Can I meal prep it?
   Yes—portion into containers for quick lunches.
7. What herbs pair well?
   Basil, thyme, or Italian seasoning.
8. How do I thicken the sauce?
   Whisk in flour or cornstarch slurry.
9. What protein alternatives work?
   Shrimp, sausage, or tofu.
10. Can kids eat this?
    Absolutely—it’s mild, creamy, and kid-approved.

🏁 Conclusion

This Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Penne is quick, comforting, and packed with flavor—perfect for busy weeknights when you need a meal everyone will love! 🍗🥦🍝

Adam

Creamy Broccoli & Chicken Penne – Cozy, Creamy & Ready in 30 Minutes

This Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Penne is everything you want in a hearty pasta dish: perfectly cooked penne pasta, golden seared chicken, and bright green broccoli florets all coated in a luscious, cheesy cream sauce. It’s quick, easy, and guaranteed to become a family favorite! 🍝✨

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 🍝 Main Ingredients
• 8 oz penne pasta
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

🥣 Cream Sauce

• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp flour optional for thicker sauce
• Pinch of red pepper flakes optional for heat

🌿 Optional Garnish

• Fresh parsley chopped
• Extra grated parmesan

Equipment

• Large pot
• Large skillet
• Colander
• Mixing spoon
• Knife & cutting board
• Measuring cups & spoons

Method

 

1. Step 1: Cook Pasta & Broccoli
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
3. Add penne pasta; cook according to package instructions.
4. Add broccoli in the last 3 minutes of pasta cooking time.
5. Drain pasta and broccoli; set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

1. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add chicken; season with salt and pepper.
3. Cook 6–8 minutes until golden and cooked through.
4. Add minced garlic; sauté 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 3: Make the Cream Sauce

1. Reduce heat to medium.
2. Melt butter in the skillet; whisk in flour if using and cook 1 minute.
3. Slowly stir in chicken broth; cook 2 minutes.
4. Add cream; simmer until slightly thickened (3–4 minutes).
5. Stir in parmesan until melted and sauce is smooth.
6. Add red pepper flakes if you like a spicy kick.

Step 4: Combine Everything

1. Add cooked pasta and broccoli to the skillet with chicken and sauce.
2. Toss until everything is well coated and heated through.

Step 5: Serve

1. Divide into bowls; top with parsley and extra parmesan.
2. Enjoy immediately!

Notes

🥄 Variations
Lighter Version: Use milk instead of cream.

Cheesy Twist: Add mozzarella for extra gooeyness.

Veggie Boost: Stir in mushrooms or spinach.

Low-Carb: Swap pasta for zucchini noodles.

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Fridge: Store in airtight container up to 4 days.

Reheat: Microwave or warm in a skillet with a splash of broth or cream.

Freezer: Not recommended; sauce may separate.

❓ 10 FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes—skip cooking chicken and stir in shredded rotisserie chicken in Step 4.

Can I use frozen broccoli?
Definitely—just add directly to boiling pasta water.

What pasta works best?
Penne, rigatoni, or farfalle.

Can I make it dairy-free?
Use coconut cream or plant-based cream and cheese.

How do I make it extra creamy?
Add more cream or a dollop of cream cheese.

Can I meal prep it?
Yes—portion into containers for quick lunches.

What herbs pair well?
Basil, thyme, or Italian seasoning.

How do I thicken the sauce?
Whisk in flour or cornstarch slurry.

What protein alternatives work?
Shrimp, sausage, or tofu.

Can kids eat this?
Absolutely—it’s mild, creamy, and kid-approved.

🏁 Conclusion
This Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Penne is quick, comforting, and packed with flavor—perfect for busy weeknights when you need a meal everyone will love! 🍗🥦🍝