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Indulgent Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Penne Recipe You'll Love

This Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Penne recipe combines tender chicken and vibrant broccoli in a rich, creamy sauce for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 650

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 ounces Penne pasta
  • 1 teaspoon Salt for cooking pasta
For the Chicken
  • 1 pound Boneless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons Olive oil for searing chicken
For the Sauce
  • 1 cup Heavy cream
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 cup Chicken broth
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • 1 teaspoon Black pepper to taste
For the Broccoli
  • 2 cups Fresh broccoli florets
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon juice freshly squeezed

Equipment

  • large pot
  • skillet
  • measuring cups
  • cutting board
  • Chef's knife

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then cook for 6-7 minutes on each side until golden-brown. Transfer to a plate and let it rest before slicing.
  3. In the same skillet, sauté the minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the broccoli and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp.
  4. Pour in 1 cup of heavy cream and 1 cup of chicken broth, stirring to combine. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes, then gradually add Parmesan cheese until melted.
  5. Add the cooked penne and sliced chicken to the skillet, tossing to coat them evenly with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
  6. Remove from heat, stir in lemon juice, and adjust seasoning with salt or pepper. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition

Serving: 1plateCalories: 650kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 40gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 800mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 50mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 2mg

Notes

For best results, allow chicken to rest before slicing and adjust creaminess with reserved pasta water as needed.

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