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Creamy rotisserie chicken broccoli pasta in large skillet with melted cheese and fresh herbs ready to serve

Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta

This comforting rotisserie chicken broccoli pasta delivers creamy satisfaction in 35 minutes using store-bought rotisserie chicken and simple pantry staples.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 535

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb penne pasta
  • 1 whole rotisserie chicken 3-4 lbs, shredded (about 4 cups meat)
  • 4 cups broccoli florets fresh or frozen
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced fine
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced small
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth low-sodium
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese whole milk, shredded
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes optional

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet
  • Colander
  • Cheese grater
  • Whisk
  • Tongs or large spoon

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook penne pasta according to package directions until al dente. During the last 3 minutes of cooking time, add broccoli florets directly to the pasta water.
  2. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of starchy pasta water in a measuring cup. Drain pasta and broccoli together and set aside.
  3. Heat olive oil and butter in your largest skillet over medium-low heat. Cook diced onion for 4-5 minutes until softened, then add minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, bringing mixture to a gentle simmer for 2-3 minutes. Look for small bubbles around the edges, not a rolling boil.
  5. Remove skillet from heat completely before adding cheese to prevent graininess. Whisk in Parmesan and mozzarella until completely smooth, then season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
  6. Add drained pasta and broccoli to the creamy sauce, tossing gently with tongs to coat everything evenly. Fold in shredded rotisserie chicken last.
  7. Add reserved pasta water 2 tablespoons at a time until you reach a creamy, glossy consistency. Stir in a cold knob of butter just before serving for restaurant-quality finish.

Notes

Remove sauce from heat when adding cheese to prevent graininess. Use both white and dark meat from rotisserie chicken for best flavor. Add pasta water gradually to achieve perfect sauce consistency.