EASY BROCCOLI AND CHICKEN PENNE

Craving something comforting, healthy-ish, and ridiculously easy all at the same time? Imagine twirling perfectly cooked penne pasta, coated in a creamy, savory sauce, studded with tender chicken and vibrant green broccoli florets. This Broccoli And Chicken Penne recipe is the answer to your weeknight dinner prayers, and I promise you’ll be coming back for seconds (and thirds!).

The Star Players: Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Chicken and Broccoli:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Penne and Sauce:

• 1 pound penne pasta
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little kick)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Let’s Get Cooking: Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Chicken and Broccoli

1. In a large bowl, toss the chicken pieces and broccoli florets with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Make sure everything is evenly coated.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken and Broccoli

1. Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
2. Add the chicken and broccoli mixture to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the broccoli is tender-crisp, about 8-10 minutes. Don’t overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary.
3. Remove the chicken and broccoli from the skillet and set aside.

Step 3: Cook the Penne

1. While the chicken and broccoli are cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
3. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
4. Drain the pasta and set aside.

Step 4: Make the Creamy Sauce

1. In the same skillet you used for the chicken and broccoli, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
3. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Those browned bits are flavor gold!
4. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper.
5. Simmer the sauce for a few minutes, until it thickens slightly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to thin it out.

Step 5: Combine Everything and Serve

1. Add the cooked penne pasta, chicken, and broccoli to the skillet with the creamy sauce.
2. Toss everything together until well combined and heated through.
3. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Tips and Tricks for Pasta Perfection

Broccoli Bliss

Don’t overcook the broccoli! You want it to be tender-crisp, not mushy. Nobody likes mushy broccoli. If you’re not a fan of broccoli, you can easily substitute it with other vegetables like asparagus, spinach, or bell peppers.

Chicken Choices

I prefer using chicken breasts for this recipe, but you can also use chicken thighs for a richer flavor. Just make sure to trim off any excess fat before cooking. You could even use leftover cooked chicken to save time!

Sauce Savvy

The key to a great creamy sauce is to not overheat it. Keep the heat on low and simmer gently. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little bit of the reserved pasta water to thin it out. If you want an even creamier sauce, try adding a tablespoon of cream cheese or mascarpone cheese.

Pasta Pointers

Always cook your pasta al dente! This means “to the tooth” in Italian, and it refers to pasta that is firm but not hard. Al dente pasta holds its shape better and has a more satisfying texture. Don’t forget to reserve some of the pasta water before draining! It’s starchy and helps the sauce cling to the pasta.

Variations to Make it Your Own

Spice It Up

If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce or use a spicy sausage instead of chicken. You could even add a drizzle of hot sauce at the end.

Cheesy Goodness

For an extra cheesy dish, add some shredded mozzarella, provolone, or fontina cheese to the sauce. You can also sprinkle some breadcrumbs on top and bake it in the oven for a bubbly, golden-brown crust.

Veggie Power

Add other vegetables to the dish, such as mushrooms, onions, garlic, or sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté them with the chicken and broccoli for a more flavorful and nutritious meal.

Creamy Alternatives

If you are trying to keep things a bit lighter, you can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or even milk, although the sauce will be less thick and rich. You could also try using a dairy-free cream alternative for a vegan version.

Other Delicious Pasta Dishes You Might Love

If you’re a pasta fanatic like me, you’ll definitely want to check out these other amazing recipes! For a flavorful and easy meal, try Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta. If you’re looking for something super addictive, Crack Chicken Penne is the way to go. For a truly comforting dish, you can’t beat Chicken Bacon Pasta. Alternatively, for a quick and tasty dinner, Parmesan Garlic Chicken Pasta is a fantastic choice. If you’re looking for something similar with Orzo, try this Chicken Broccoli Orzo. Or another take with creamy garlic, there’s Creamy Garlic Chicken Penne!

Why This Recipe is a Winner

This Broccoli And Chicken Penne is more than just a meal; it’s a hug in a bowl! It’s quick, easy, customizable, and packed with flavor. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, you can easily whip up this dish and impress your family and friends. So, grab your ingredients and get ready to enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal!

Lady Maria

Easy Broccoli and Chicken Penne

This Easy Broccoli and Chicken Penne recipe is a comforting and satisfying meal that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. Tender chicken and vibrant broccoli florets are combined with perfectly cooked penne pasta in a creamy, savory sauce. It’s quick, easy, and sure to become a family favorite.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 600

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• 1 pound penne pasta
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
• Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Equipment

• Large bowl
• Large skillet or Dutch oven
• Large Pot
• Colander
• measuring cups and spoons
• knife
• Cutting board

Method

 

1. In a large bowl, toss the chicken pieces and broccoli florets with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Make sure everything is evenly coated.
2. Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
3. Add the chicken and broccoli mixture to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the broccoli is tender-crisp, about 8-10 minutes. Don’t overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary.
4. Remove the chicken and broccoli from the skillet and set aside.
5. While the chicken and broccoli are cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
6. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
7. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
8. Drain the pasta and set aside.
9. In the same skillet you used for the chicken and broccoli, melt the butter over medium heat.
10. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
11. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
12. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper.
13. Simmer the sauce for a few minutes, until it thickens slightly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to thin it out.
14. Add the cooked penne pasta, chicken, and broccoli to the skillet with the creamy sauce.
15. Toss everything together until well combined and heated through.
16. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Notes

Don’t overcook the broccoli! You want it to be tender-crisp, not mushy. You can substitute broccoli with other vegetables like asparagus, spinach, or bell peppers. You can use chicken thighs for a richer flavor, or even leftover cooked chicken. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little bit of the reserved pasta water to thin it out. For an even creamier sauce, try adding a tablespoon of cream cheese or mascarpone cheese. To spice it up, add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Always cook your pasta al dente!