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Featured image of a delicious Broccoli Chicken Penne dish ready to be served.

Easy Broccoli Chicken Penne

This easy Broccoli Chicken Penne recipe transforms simple ingredients into a flavorful and satisfying meal. By focusing on proper cooking techniques for the pasta, broccoli, and chicken, and creating a light yet creamy sauce, this dish avoids blandness and delivers a delightful weeknight dinner.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 600
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound penne pasta
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
  • Red pepper flakes optional

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • Large Skillet
  • Mixing bowls
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Knife
  • Cutting board

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions, until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, toss the chicken cubes with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  3. Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  4. Add the broccoli florets to the same skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender-crisp, about 5-7 minutes. If the pan seems dry, add a splash of water to help steam the broccoli. Remove the broccoli from the skillet and set aside.
  5. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  6. Reduce the heat to low. Add the softened cream cheese and stir until melted and smooth. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted.
  7. Add the cooked pasta, chicken, and broccoli to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach your desired consistency.
  8. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes (optional) and serve immediately.

Notes

For extra juicy chicken, brine the chicken cubes in a salt water solution for 30 minutes before cooking. Blanching the broccoli for 2 minutes in boiling water then shocking in ice water will preserve its vibrant color. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.