Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Penne again last night and kids literally licked their plates clean! Been making this for years now and never fails to impress. The combo of tender chicken chunks, fresh broccoli florets and that rich creamy sauce coating every bit of penne pasta is just perfect for busy weeknights. Seriously this dish has saved me countless times when I needed something fast but didn’t wanna compromise on flavor. Keep reading to find out my secret for making this pasta extra creamy without tons of heavy cream!
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Penne
Struggled with pasta dishes that end up bland or dry? This Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Penne solves all that! First time I made this was for a potluck at work and even my Italian coworker asked for the recipe lol. What’s awesome is how flexible it is – swap chicken for shrimp use whatever pasta you have or add diff veggies based on what’s in your fridge.
The sauce is where the magic happens – creamy enough to coat everything but not heavy enough to make you feel stuffed after. Plus the whole thing comes together in ONE pan which means way less cleanup!
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Pasta and Veggies
- 12 oz penne pasta (can sub rotini or farfalle if that’s what you have)
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets cut small (frozen works too just thaw first)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Chicken
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch chunks
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil for cooking
For the Creamy Sauce
- 3 tbsp butter
- 4 garlic cloves minced (or 1 tbsp pre-minced)
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1.5 cups chicken broth (low sodium best)
- 1 cup milk (whole works best but 2% ok too)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional if you want kick)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
The heavy cream makes this Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Penne super rich but you can use half-and-half if watching calories. Freshly grated parm melts way better than pre-shredded which has anti-caking stuff. For gluten-free version just use GF pasta and cornstarch instead of flour.
How to Make Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Penne
Step 1: Prep Everything
Start by cutting chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Cut broccoli into small florets. Mince garlic if not using pre-minced. Grate cheese if using block parm. Having everything ready makes the cooking process way faster!
Step 2: Cook the Pasta and Broccoli
Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Cook penne according to package minus 1 minute (we want it al dente). During last 2 mins add broccoli florets to same pot. This saves time and dishes! Drain everything but save about 1/2 cup pasta water just in case sauce needs thinning later.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken
While pasta cooks heat olive oil in large skillet over med-high heat. Add seasoned chicken pieces making sure not to overcrowd pan. Cook about 4-5 mins until golden brown and cooked through (165°F internal temp). Remove chicken and set aside.
Step 4: Make the Creamy Sauce
In same skillet melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook 30 secs until fragrant but not brown. Sprinkle flour over and whisk constantly for 1 min to make roux. Slowly pour in chicken broth while whisking to avoid lumps. Add milk and cream then let simmer for 2-3 mins until slightly thickened. You’ll know it’s ready when sauce coats back of spoon.
Step 5: Combine Everything
Lower heat and stir in parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt pepper and red pepper flakes if using. Add cooked chicken back to skillet along with drained pasta and broccoli. Toss everything together until well coated with sauce. If sauce seems too thick add splash of reserved pasta water.
The Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Penne is ready when everything’s hot and sauce evenly coats all ingredients. Garnish with extra parm and fresh parsley if feeling fancy!
Delicious Variations
Veggie Loaded Version
Add mushrooms bell peppers and spinach to make even more nutritious. Sauté veggies before making sauce.
Seafood Twist
Replace chicken with shrimp or salmon for amazing seafood version of Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Penne.
Spicy Kick
Double red pepper flakes and add dash of cayenne for heat lovers. Can also add sliced jalapeños.
Bacon Everything
Add crispy bacon bits for extra flavor dimension that makes everything better let’s be real.
Mediterranean Style
Mix in sun-dried tomatoes kalamata olives and feta cheese instead of parm for Mediterranean vibe.
Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Penne
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Large skillet
- Grater
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch chunks
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp olive oil for cooking
- 3 tbsp butter
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1.5 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Prep Everything: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cut broccoli into small florets. Mince garlic if not using pre-minced.
- Cook the Pasta and Broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook penne according to package minus 1 minute (al dente). In the last 2 minutes, add broccoli florets to the pot. Drain everything, saving about 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook seasoned chicken for 4-5 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add flour, whisking for 1 minute. Slowly pour in chicken broth, whisking to avoid lumps. Add milk and cream, simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
- Combine Everything: Stir in parmesan until melted and smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (optional). Add cooked chicken, pasta, and broccoli. Toss until well-coated. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water.
Notes
Nutrition
FAQ About Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Penne
How many calories are in penne with chicken and broccoli?
One serving of this Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Penne has approx 520-550 calories depending on exact ingredients used. Using half-and-half instead of heavy cream and reducing cheese amount can bring it down to around 450 calories per serving.
What is chicken and broccoli sauce made of?
The sauce in this Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Penne consists of butter flour chicken broth milk heavy cream and parmesan cheese. This combo creates rich yet balanced sauce that isn’t too heavy. The flour acts as thickener while the cheese adds flavor and helps with consistency.
How healthy is chicken and broccoli?
Chicken and broccoli is super nutritious combo! In this Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Penne you get lean protein from chicken fiber and vitamins from broccoli. The cream sauce adds calories but you can make healthier by using less cheese half-and-half instead of cream or even greek yogurt for tangier lighter sauce.
How to make chicken and broccoli pasta bake?
To turn this Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Penne into baked version follow recipe through Step 5 then transfer everything to baking dish. Top with extra 1/2 cup cheese and 1/2 cup breadcrumbs mixed with 1 tbsp melted butter. Bake at 375°F for 15-20 mins until bubbly and golden on top.
Do you need to boil pasta before pasta bake?
Yes you should partially boil pasta before making Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Penne bake. Cook pasta for about 3-4 mins less than package instructions since it’ll continue cooking in oven. If you skip pre-boiling pasta will absorb too much sauce and might end up undercooked.
Tips for Best Results
- Don’t overcook pasta! Keep it al dente since it’ll continue softening in sauce
- Season at every step not just at end
- Cut broccoli and chicken same size for even cooking
- Let sauce simmer long enough to thicken properly
- Use freshly grated cheese for way better melting
- Save pasta water! Magic ingredient for fixing too-thick sauce
For amazing meal try serving this Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Penne with simple side salad and garlic bread. If you loved this recipe def check out my Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice or Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken for more easy dinner ideas. Another fan fave is my Marry Me Chicken Pasta which has similar vibes but diff flavor profile.
The Perfect Weeknight Dinner
Been making this Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Penne for years now and honestly it never gets old. Started as random throw-together meal when fridge was almost empty but now it’s requested weekly by family. Love watching even picky eaters devour something with broccoli in it lol. Make this your own by playing with diff add-ins or seasonings – cooking should be fun not stressful! Hope this becomes go-to in your dinner rotation just like it is in mine!
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