Description
Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Penne is a quick one-pan dinner recipe featuring tender pasta, juicy chicken, and fresh broccoli coated in a rich garlic-Parmesan cream sauce. This comforting weeknight meal is packed with protein, flavor, and cheesy goodness—perfect for families or guests. Discover how to make this easy creamy chicken pasta in just 30 minutes with pantry staples.
Ingredients
1 pound penne pasta
2 medium chicken breasts, diced
3 cups broccoli florets
1 ½ cups heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
Instructions
1. Season the diced chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear until golden and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
3. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook according to package instructions. In the last 2–3 minutes, add broccoli florets. Drain and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, heat the remaining olive oil. Add garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Pour in heavy cream, bring to a simmer, then stir in Parmesan cheese. Let it melt into a smooth, creamy sauce.
6. Return the chicken, penne, and broccoli to the skillet. Stir well to coat everything in the sauce. Simmer 2–3 minutes until heated through and thickened slightly.
7. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve warm with extra Parmesan or fresh parsley.
Notes
For extra flavor, lightly toast the garlic in olive oil before adding the cream.
If reheating leftovers, add a splash of milk or cream to revive the sauce.
To save time, prep the chicken and broccoli while the pasta cooks.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg