This creamy chicken and broccoli penne pasta is the perfect comfort food, combining tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and a rich, savory sauce.
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:20 minutes
Total Time:30 minutes
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Main Course
Method:Stovetop
Cuisine:Italian-American
Diet:Halal
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.