Description
Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta is a comforting, hearty dinner that uses ready-made rotisserie chicken, fresh broccoli, and pasta in a creamy sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 whole rotisserie chicken (3–4 lbs), shredded (about 4 cups)
- 1 lb penne pasta
- 4 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 4 cups chicken broth, low-sodium
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded (optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Zest of 1/2 lemon (optional)
Instructions
- Shred rotisserie chicken into bite-sized pieces; discard skin/bones. Cut broccoli into small, uniform florets (1-1.5 inches). Dice onion finely and mince garlic. Grate Parmesan, chop parsley, and zest lemon (if using).
- Cook pasta al dente in a large pot of heavily salted water according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup starchy pasta water, then drain.
- In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Sauté diced onion for 5-7 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes; cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Pour in chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Add broccoli florets, cover the skillet, and steam for 3-5 minutes until tender-crisp and vibrant green.
- Remove lid and reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and warm gently for 2-3 minutes. Gradually add grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella (if using), stirring continuously until melted and the sauce is smooth and glossy. Season generously with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Add the cooked pasta and shredded rotisserie chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together, ensuring all ingredients are thoroughly coated. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached. Stir in half of the chopped parsley and lemon zest (if using). Give a final taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Serve immediately. Garnish each portion with the remaining fresh chopped parsley and an extra dusting of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- This dish is perfect for busy weeknights.
- You can use leftover chicken or other pasta shapes if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 120mg