Description
A quick and easy weeknight pasta dish featuring tender broccoli and flavorful rotisserie chicken in a light, creamy sauce. Perfect for busy evenings!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound pasta (penne, rotini, or farfalle work well)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups broccoli florets (from about 1 large head or a 10-ounce bag of pre-cut florets)
- 1 ½ cups shredded rotisserie chicken (white or dark meat, or a mix)
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup milk (dairy or unsweetened non-dairy, like almond or oat)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese (optional, for extra creaminess)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1. Cook the pasta in a large pot of generously salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
- 2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- 3. Add broccoli florets to the skillet. Add 1-2 tablespoons of water, cover, and steam for a few minutes until bright green and tender-crisp.
- 4. Stir in the shredded rotisserie chicken and cook for 2-3 minutes to heat through.
- 5. Pour in chicken broth and milk. Bring to a gentle simmer. If using cream cheese, add it now and stir until melted and incorporated.
- 6. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese. Toss to coat evenly in sauce. Add reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, if needed to reach desired consistency.
- 7. Season generously with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk or broth, or microwave in short intervals. For best results, avoid high heat when reheating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Pasta, Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: Approx. 450-550
- Sugar: Approx. 5-7g
- Sodium: Approx. 600-800mg (will vary based on chicken and broth)
- Fat: Approx. 15-20g
- Carbohydrates: Approx. 50-60g
- Fiber: Approx. 5-7g
- Protein: Approx. 30-35g