Description
This creamy chicken and broccoli penne pasta is the perfect comfort food, combining tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and a rich, savory sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions. In the last 3 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets to the pot. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and cook until golden brown and fully cooked, about 6-7 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté the minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant. Lower the heat and pour in the heavy cream. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning, and continue to cook until the sauce thickens slightly. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Return the cooked chicken and broccoli to the skillet, mixing them into the creamy sauce. Add the cooked penne pasta and toss everything together until well combined.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with a side salad or garlic bread.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (1/4 of the recipe)
- Calories: 475 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 125mg