A comforting pasta dish with tender chicken, vibrant broccoli, and a velvety cream sauce never goes out of style. This Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Penne Recipe is a complete weeknight dinner—simple enough to prepare in under 30 minutes, yet impressive enough to serve for guests or special family meals. The balance of creamy sauce, perfectly cooked penne, juicy chicken, and fresh broccoli creates a meal that satisfies every age group.

Whether you love cozy pasta bowls, enjoy preparing one-pan dinners, or want a reliable and nutritious weeknight option, this recipe checks all the right boxes. In this complete guide, you’ll learn how to make the creamiest sauce, how to keep chicken juicy, how to prevent the pasta from drying out, and how to customize this dish to match your taste or dietary needs.

This is not just another chicken pasta recipe—this is a complete master guide that transforms simple pantry ingredients into a luxurious, restaurant-worthy meal.

⭐ Why You’ll Love This Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Penne Recipe

There are countless pasta dishes online, but this one stands out for several reasons. Here’s what makes it truly special:

✔ Balanced and Nutritious

Broccoli adds vitamins, fiber, and color, chicken adds lean protein, and pasta brings comforting carbs. The creamy sauce ties everything together, making it a complete meal in one bowl.

✔ One-Pan Convenience

No pile of dirty dishes. You cook the chicken, make the sauce, and combine everything in one skillet—simple cleanup, perfect for busy evenings.

✔ Creamy Yet Light

The sauce is rich without being heavy. It’s silky, smooth, and coats every strand of pasta beautifully without feeling overly thick.

✔ Family-Friendly

Adults enjoy the savory depth of the sauce, while kids love the cheesy pasta. Even picky eaters often approve of this dish!

✔ Flexible and Customizable

You can swap the pasta type, use shrimp instead of chicken, replace cream with lighter options, or experiment with vegetables.

✔ Restaurant Taste at Home

The garlic-infused cream sauce, Parmesan, and perfectly seasoned chicken taste unbelievably similar to a dish you’d find in a classic Italian-American restaurant.

🍗 Ingredients You Will Need

This recipe uses everyday staples you likely already have in your kitchen.

For the Pasta

12 ounces penne pasta
Water + salt (for boiling)

For the Chicken

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

For the Broccoli

3 cups fresh broccoli florets (steamed or blanched)

For the Creamy Sauce

3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
1 tablespoon butter
Extra salt and pepper to taste

For Garnish

Fresh parsley, chopped
Extra Parmesan (optional)

🕒 Cooking Time & Servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 generous portions
Skill Level: Beginner-friendly

🍝 How to Make Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Penne

Follow this step-by-step guide to make the perfect bowl of creamy chicken and broccoli pasta.

Step 1: Cook the Pasta Until Al Dente

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until firm but cooked (al dente). Drain and set aside.

Tips:

Add at least 1 tablespoon of salt into the pasta water—it seasons the pasta from within.
Avoid overcooking; mushy pasta cannot hold the sauce properly.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces. Season generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.

Cook for 6–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden and fully cooked. Remove to a plate and keep warm.

Pro Tip:
To lock in moisture, avoid moving the chicken too early. Let it sear and develop a golden crust for better flavor.

Step 3: Steam or Blanch the Broccoli

While cooking the chicken, steam or blanch your broccoli:

Steam: 4 minutes until bright green
Blanch: Boil 2 minutes → transfer to ice water

This keeps broccoli crisp yet tender.

Step 4: Make the Cream Sauce

In the same skillet used for the chicken:

Add butter and minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant (about 1 minute).
Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up brown bits—this adds flavor.
Simmer for 2–3 minutes to slightly reduce the broth.
Add the heavy cream and let it bubble for 3 minutes to thicken.
Stir in freshly grated Parmesan until the sauce becomes silky.

Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.

Step 5: Combine Everything

Return the chicken and broccoli to the skillet. Add the cooked penne pasta. Toss gently so every piece gets coated.

Simmer for 1–2 minutes to bring all flavors together.

Step 6: Serve & Enjoy

Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan.

Enjoy warm!

🌟 Expert Cooking Tips for the Best Results

✔ Use Freshly Grated Parmesan Only

Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting.

✔ Do Not Overheat the Cream

If cream boils aggressively, it may split. Keep the heat medium-low.

✔ Salt at Every Stage

Season the pasta water, chicken, and sauce to build layers of flavor.

✔ Save a Little Pasta Water

A splash can loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.

🥦 Ingredient Substitutions & Variations

This dish is easy to adapt for taste, dietary preferences, or what you already have at home.

Protein Variations

➤ Shrimp:

Cooks in 3 minutes—great for a seafood twist.

➤ Turkey:

Lean and flavorful, especially with Italian seasoning.

➤ Rotisserie Chicken:

A time-saving option—just toss into the sauce.

Vegetable Variations

Try adding:

Spinach
Green peas
Mushrooms
Bell peppers
Zucchini

Each adds color and nutrition without overpowering the dish.

Pasta Variations

You may replace penne with:

Rigatoni
Farfalle
Fusilli
Fettuccine
Spaghetti

Short pasta holds sauce best, but long noodles work too.

Cream Alternatives

If you want a lighter version:

Half-and-half
Evaporated milk
Whole milk + 1 teaspoon cornstarch

For dairy-free:

Coconut milk + dairy-free Parmesan
Cashew cream

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Serve this dish with:

✔ Garlic Bread

Crunchy, buttery, and perfect for soaking up leftover sauce.

✔ Side Salad

Try mixed greens with lemon vinaigrette.

✔ Roasted Vegetables

Roasted carrots, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts are excellent.

🧊 Storage and Reheating

✔ Store

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

✔ Reheat

Warm on the stove with a splash of milk or broth. This refreshes the sauce.

✔ Can You Freeze It?

Creamy pasta does not freeze well. The texture may change when reheated.

❓ FAQs

1. Can I use frozen broccoli?

Yes, steam it first and drain well.

2. Can I use milk instead of cream?

Yes, but the sauce will be lighter. Add a little cornstarch to thicken.

3. How do I prevent my sauce from curdling?

Keep heat medium-low and avoid boiling the cream.

4. What if my sauce becomes too thick?

Add pasta water or broth to loosen it.

5. Can I make this gluten-free?

Use gluten-free pasta and check broth labels for gluten-free certification.

6. How do I add more flavor?

Lemon zest, a splash of white wine, roasted garlic, or fresh basil work well.

📝 Printable Recipe Card

Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Penne

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

12 oz penne pasta
2 tbsp olive oil
1 lb chicken breast, diced
Salt & pepper
3 cups broccoli florets
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup Parmesan, freshly grated
1 tbsp butter
Red pepper flakes (optional)
Fresh parsley

Instructions

Cook pasta until al dente; set aside.
Sear chicken in olive oil; remove.
Steam broccoli; set aside.
In skillet: melt butter, sauté garlic, add broth, then cream.
Add Parmesan; stir until smooth.
Add pasta, chicken, broccoli. Toss gently.
Garnish and serve warm.

🧾 Conclusion

This Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Penne Recipe is one of those dependable meals you’ll turn to again and again. It’s wholesome, flavorful, family-friendly, and endlessly customizable. With minimal effort and basic ingredients, you can serve a dinner that feels comforting, satisfying, and restaurant-quality.