Description
This Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Penne is the ultimate comfort food—rich, garlicky, and satisfying without being too heavy. Perfect for easy dinner ideas, healthy-ish weeknight meals, and anyone needing quick food ideas. The sauce is silky and clings beautifully to penne pasta while broccoli adds that perfect green crunch. You’ll want to keep this easy recipe in your back pocket for family dinners or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
12 oz penne pasta
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
3 cups broccoli florets
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
3 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil and butter in a large pan over medium-high heat.
2. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then sear both sides until golden and cooked through. Remove and slice thin.
3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne for 7 minutes, then add broccoli and cook 3 minutes more. Reserve 3/4 cup pasta water, then drain.
4. In the same pan, sauté garlic until fragrant. Add heavy cream and simmer gently.
5. Stir in Parmesan cheese and a splash of pasta water to loosen and emulsify the sauce.
6. Add the chicken, penne, and broccoli to the sauce. Toss well and heat through.
7. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, adding more pasta water if needed.
8. Serve warm, topped with extra Parmesan.
Notes
Cook broccoli in the same pot as pasta to save time and clean-up.
Always reserve pasta water before draining—it makes the sauce silky.
Use freshly grated Parmesan, not pre-shredded, for a smoother sauce.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
Keywords: easy dinner, creamy pasta, chicken penne, broccoli pasta, quick pasta recipe