Description
A comforting dish featuring penne pasta, tender chicken, and vibrant broccoli in a rich creamy sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cooking pasta has always felt like the beginning of something comforting, especially when you hear that gentle bubbling sound. Add the penne and cook until al dente according to package instructions. In the last few minutes, toss in the broccoli florets so they soften while keeping their bright green color. Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces, seasoning them with salt, pepper, and paprika. Let them cook until golden and fully done. There’s something satisfying about watching the chicken develop that light golden crust—it’s where so much flavor begins.
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about a minute until fragrant. This is the moment when the kitchen starts to smell irresistible.
- Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring gently to combine. Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes until it begins to thicken slightly. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning, creating a rich, velvety sauce that coats the back of your spoon.
- Add the cooked penne and broccoli directly into the skillet. Toss everything together until evenly coated. Watching the creamy sauce cling to each piece of pasta is one of the most satisfying parts of making creamy broccoli and chicken penne.
- Let everything cook together for another 2–3 minutes so the flavors meld beautifully. Serve warm, with extra Parmesan if you like.
Notes
- This dish is best served immediately for optimal creaminess.
- Feel free to customize the vegetables based on your preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 120mg