Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta: Quick & Hearty (Print Version)
Quick, High Protein Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta. A weeknight lifesaver with tender chicken, vibrant broccoli, and a rich, satisfying sauce.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: High Protein
# Ingredients:
→ Main Components
01 -
12 oz (340g) short pasta (like rigatoni, penne, or cavatappi)
02 -
3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
03 -
2 cups broccoli florets (about 1 medium head)
→ Creamy Sauce Essentials
04 -
1 tbsp olive oil
05 -
4-5 cloves garlic, minced
06 -
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
07 -
1 cup heavy cream
08 -
4 oz (1/2 block) cream cheese, full-fat, softened
→ Flavor Boosters & Finishing Touches
09 -
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
10 -
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
11 -
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
12 -
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
# Instructions:
01 -
Get a big pot of water boiling, like a rolling boil, for your pasta. Add a generous pinch of salt – this is where I always forget to salt the water, and then my pasta tastes bland, ugh. Cook your pasta according to package directions until it's al dente. While it's doing its thing, save about a cup of that starchy pasta water before you drain it. Seriously, don't skip this, it's liquid gold for the sauce!
02 -
While the pasta boils, grab a large skillet and heat up a splash of olive oil over medium heat. Toss in your minced garlic. Oh, that smell! It's one of my favorites, honestly. Sauté it for just about a minute until it's fragrant, but be super careful not to burn it – burnt garlic is a sad, bitter thing, I've done it too many times. Then, add your broccoli florets and let them cook for 3-5 minutes, until they start to turn bright green and just tender-crisp.
03 -
Now for the sauce! Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a gentle simmer. Next, whisk in the heavy cream and the cream cheese. Keep whisking until the cream cheese melts completely and the sauce looks smooth and luscious. This is where the magic really starts for our High Protein Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta. It should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
04 -
Stir in your shredded rotisserie chicken. Let it warm through in the creamy sauce for a couple of minutes. Season generously with salt, black pepper, and those red pepper flakes if you're feeling a little spicy. Taste it! This is your chance to adjust, make it perfect for <em>your</em> palate. I'm always adding a little more pepper, just because I love it.
05 -
Drain your cooked pasta (remember that pasta water we saved? Good!). Add the drained pasta directly into the skillet with the creamy chicken and broccoli sauce. Toss everything together really well, making sure every noodle is coated in that deliciousness. If the sauce seems a little too thick, add a splash or two of that reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
06 -
Finally, remove the skillet from the heat and stir in most of your freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Give it a good mix until it's all melted and gooey. Serve immediately, topped with a little extra Parmesan and a sprinkle of fresh parsley if you're feeling fancy. The High Protein Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta should be warm, comforting, and utterly satisfying.
# Notes:
01 -
Always salt your pasta water generously; it’s the only chance to season the pasta itself, a lesson I learned the hard way with bland dinners.
02 -
Reheating leftovers gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk or broth works much better than the microwave for keeping that creamy texture.
03 -
If you're out of heavy cream, half-and-half can work, but the sauce won't be quite as rich, honestly.
04 -
A squeeze of lemon juice at the very end brightens up the whole dish, especially the broccoli!
# Tools You'll Need:
01 -
Large pot
02 -
large skillet
03 -
whisk
04 -
cutting board
05 -
knife
# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Calories: 650
Total Fat: 35g
Total Carbohydrate: 50g
Protein: 40g