Creamy Broccoli Chicken Penne (Printer-Friendly Layout)

Juicy seared chicken and bright broccoli in a rich Parmesan cream sauce - a comforting one-pot pasta dish ready in just 40 minutes.

# Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Protein

01 - 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 680g), diced

→ Pasta

02 - 225g penne pasta

→ Vegetables

03 - 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Sauce

05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 240ml heavy cream
07 - 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
08 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
09 - Reserved pasta water, as needed

→ Garnish

10 - Extra Parmesan, for serving

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 120ml of pasta water for later use.
02 - While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season diced chicken with salt and pepper, then add to skillet in a single layer. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through.
03 - Add minced garlic and broccoli florets to the skillet with chicken. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until broccoli turns bright green and becomes slightly tender while maintaining some crunch.
04 - Pour heavy cream into the skillet and stir to combine. Heat through for 1-2 minutes, then gradually sprinkle in Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and sauce thickens. Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water if needed.
05 - Add the drained pasta to the sauce, gently tossing until well coated. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.

# Extra Tips and Tricks:

01 - Use freshly grated Parmesan—it melts more smoothly than pre-shredded varieties.
02 - Cut large broccoli florets into smaller bite-sized pieces for even cooking and better integration with pasta.
03 - For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, though sauce will be less rich.
04 - Time-saving option: use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken, adding it with the broccoli.

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