Velvety Chicken & Broccoli Penne Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Comfort meets convenience in this delectable creamy chicken and broccoli penne that promises to satisfy your dinner cravings in every single bite.

Tender chicken pieces dance with vibrant broccoli florets through a luscious, velvety sauce that clings perfectly to al dente pasta.

Weeknight dinners never looked so inviting or tasted so remarkable.

The harmonious blend of protein and vegetables creates a balanced meal that’s both nutritious and indulgent.

Rich, creamy textures mingle with savory seasonings to craft a dish that feels like a warm culinary embrace.

Each forkful delivers a symphony of flavors that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.

Dive into this irresistible recipe and transform an ordinary evening into a memorable dining experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 485 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Need for Chicken and Broccoli Penne

• Penne Pasta: Hearty pasta shape perfect for catching creamy sauce and holding sturdy ingredients.
• Broccoli Florets: Vibrant green vegetable packed with nutrients that adds delightful texture and freshness.

• Olive Oil: Rich, smooth cooking oil that provides a subtle fruity flavor and helps sauté aromatics.
• Onion: Sweet, aromatic base that builds foundational flavor for the entire dish.
• Garlic: Intense, pungent ingredient that elevates the entire sauce with deep, complex flavor notes.
• Whole Milk: Creamy liquid that creates silky, luxurious sauce texture.
• All-Purpose Flour: Thickening agent that helps develop smooth, velvety sauce consistency.
• Parmesan Cheese: Salty, nutty cheese that melts beautifully and adds rich depth to the sauce.

• Chicken: Lean protein that makes the dish satisfying and complete.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that enhances and balances all other flavors.
• Black Pepper: Warm, slightly spicy seasoning that adds gentle heat and complexity.

Tools to Make This One-Pan Pasta Happen Fast

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling pasta and broccoli, needs to be spacious enough to cook ingredients comfortably.
• Colander: Perfect for draining pasta and broccoli after cooking, ensuring no excess water remains.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring ingredients while sautéing onions and mixing sauce smoothly.
• Whisk: Crucial for creating a smooth, lump-free sauce when combining milk and flour.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping onions and preparing ingredients before cooking.
• Sharp Knife: Required for dicing onions and preparing garlic precisely.
• Measuring Cups: Helpful for accurately measuring milk and other liquid ingredients.
• Cheese Grater: Perfect for grating fresh parmesan cheese for the sauce and garnish.
• Large Serving Bowl: Used for presenting the final creamy chicken and broccoli penne dish.

Cooking Chicken Penne With Broccoli Done Right

• Pasta Water Preparation

Boil a large pot of water with salt. When water reaches a rolling boil, add penne pasta and cook according to package guidance. During final minutes of cooking, introduce broccoli florets into the same pot. Drain when both pasta and broccoli reach desired tenderness.

• Flavor Foundation

Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat. Drop diced onions into hot oil, allowing them to soften and become translucent. Add minced garlic, creating an aromatic base that will enhance overall dish complexity. Sprinkle salt and pepper for initial seasoning.

• Sauce Creation

Dust flour over sautéed onions and garlic, creating a roux. Whisk continuously to prevent burning. Slowly pour whole milk, stirring until mixture transforms into a smooth, velvety consistency. Continue cooking until sauce thickens and develops a rich, creamy texture.

• Ingredient Harmony

Introduce grated parmesan cheese into sauce, stirring until completely melted. Fold in cooked pasta, broccoli, and chicken, ensuring every morsel gets luxuriously coated. Gently heat the entire mixture, allowing flavors to meld together perfectly.

• Serving Presentation

Transfer creamy mixture to a beautiful serving dish. Optional: Sprinkle additional parmesan on top for extra indulgence. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve immediately while sauce remains warm and inviting.

Tips to Boost Creaminess Without Overcooking

• Protein Power-Up: Swap chicken with grilled shrimp, tofu, or turkey for a different protein twist. Each alternative brings unique flavors and keeps the dish exciting.
• Veggie Boost: Experiment by adding spinach, bell peppers, or zucchini to increase nutritional value and create more colorful presentation. Roasted vegetables work wonderfully in this recipe.
• Cheese Adventure: Try different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, creamy gouda, or tangy romano instead of parmesan. Each cheese transforms the sauce's depth and character.
• Texture Trick: For extra crunch, sprinkle toasted breadcrumbs or sliced almonds on top before serving. This simple addition provides delightful contrast to the creamy sauce.
• Spice Level: Enhance flavor by adding red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, or Italian herbs to give the dish a personal signature. A pinch of spice can elevate the entire meal's taste profile.

How to Serve This Meal for Weeknight Comfort

• Cozy Family Dinner Delight: Serve this comforting pasta dish as a hearty main course with warm crusty bread on the side to soak up the delicious creamy sauce.
• Protein-Packed Lunch Bowl: Transform leftovers into a quick next-day lunch by serving the penne chilled over a bed of fresh mixed greens for added nutrition and crunch.
• Weekend Meal Prep Champion: Prepare a larger batch and portion into meal prep containers for easy grab-and-go lunches during busy weekdays, ensuring a delicious and balanced meal.
• Elegant Dinner Party Twist: Elevate the presentation by serving in individual white ramekins, topped with extra parmesan and fresh chopped parsley for a restaurant-style appearance that will impress guests.

Storage Advice for Busy Day Meal Planning

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftovers in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the meal fresh and safe for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Separate portions help maintain texture and prevent soggy pasta.
• Freezer-Friendly Technique: Transfer cooled pasta to freezer-safe containers, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Meals stay delicious for up to 2 months when sealed correctly, perfect for busy weeknights.
• Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated pasta slowly in a skillet with a splash of milk or water to restore creamy consistency. Microwave works too – cover and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly.
• Smart Ingredient Separation: Keep sauce and pasta separate during storage to prevent mushy textures. When ready to enjoy, combine and reheat gently, restoring the dish's original creamy and delightful character.

Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Penne Recipe

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4.6 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Rich and comforting chicken and broccoli penne pasta blends Italian-inspired flavors with hearty ingredients. Cheese-laden sauce and tender chicken create a satisfying meal you’ll want to savor repeatedly.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 chicken fillets, cooked and cut into small cubes
• 8 oz (226 g) penne pasta
• 2 cups (300 g) broccoli, cut into small florets
• 2 cups (480 ml) whole milk
• 1 cup (100 g) grated parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsps (16 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Bring a salted water pot to a rolling boil. Cook penne according to package instructions, adding broccoli florets during the final cooking minutes. Drain completely and set aside.
2. Aromatics Sauté: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium temperature. Introduce diced onions, cooking until translucent, then add minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper, sautéing until fragrant and lightly golden.
3. Sauce Creation: Dust the sautéed aromatics with flour, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Slowly stream whole milk into the mixture, stirring consistently until a velvety sauce forms. Maintain gentle heat, allowing the sauce to thicken and develop a smooth consistency.
4. Cheese Integration: Incorporate grated parmesan cheese, stirring until fully melted and seamlessly blended. Gently fold in the reserved pasta, broccoli, and chicken, ensuring each component is thoroughly coated with the luxurious sauce. Warm the mixture through, allowing flavors to meld.
5. Final Presentation: Transfer the creamy mixture to a serving dish. Garnish with an additional sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Taste and fine-tune seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately while the dish remains steaming and irresistibly creamy.

Notes

• Master Pasta Timing: Cook penne just until al dente to prevent mushiness, ensuring perfect texture when mixed with sauce.
• Sauce Whisking Technique: Continuously whisk milk and flour to eliminate lumps, creating a silky smooth base that coats ingredients evenly.
• Cheese Melting Trick: Add parmesan gradually and stir constantly to achieve a creamy, lump-free sauce that binds all ingredients seamlessly.
• Temperature Control: Keep heat gentle when combining sauce ingredients to prevent scalding milk and maintain a luxurious, velvety consistency.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 485
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg