Creamy Garlic Chicken & Broccoli Pasta
This creamy garlic chicken and broccoli pasta dish is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for utilizing a whole or leftover rotisserie chicken. The combination of tender rigatoni, nutritious broccoli florets, and juicy chicken is enveloped in a rich cheese sauce, enhanced with semi-soft garlic herb cheese and flavorful sun-dried tomatoes. It's a quick and easy meal for busy weeknights, yet fancy enough to impress at dinner parties. Topped with fresh Italian parsley and a sprinkle of Parmigiano-Reggiano, this dish is both delightful and delicious.
4
Servings
300
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
rigatoni pasta
8 ounces (dry)
broccoli florets
2 cups (frozen is fine)
rotisserie-cooked chicken
1.5 lbs (meat removed and coarsely chopped)
garlic & herb spreadable cheese
5 ounces (semi-soft)
milk
3/4 cup (none)
sun-dried tomatoes
1/4 cup (packed in oil, drained and snipped)
Italian parsley
to taste (chopped for garnish)
fresh ground pepper
to taste (none)
Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
for garnish (grated)
Instructions
1
Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil, then add the rigatoni pasta. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Add the broccoli florets during the last 3 minutes of cooking.
2
Once the pasta and broccoli are cooked, drain them in a colander and set aside.
3
While the pasta is cooking, remove the meat from the rotisserie chicken and coarsely chop it into bite-sized pieces.
4
In the same saucepan used for cooking the pasta, pour in the garlic & herb spreadable cheese and milk. Stir over medium heat until the cheese has melted and the mixture is smooth.
5
Add the sun-dried tomatoes to the cheese sauce, stirring well to combine.
6
Once the cheese sauce is heated through, add the drained pasta and broccoli, along with the chopped chicken. Stir until everything is well combined and heated thoroughly.
7
Season the dish with fresh ground pepper to taste, and fold in the chopped Italian parsley just before serving.
8
Serve warm, garnished with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese if desired.
Nutrition Information
10g
Fat
37.5g
Carbs
17.5g
Protein
2.5g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this recipe?
The recipe is for Creamy Garlic Chicken & Broccoli Pasta.
How many servings does this pasta dish make?
This recipe makes 4 servings.
What type of pasta is recommended?
The recipe uses 8 ounces of dry rigatoni pasta.
How long should I cook the rigatoni?
Cook the pasta according to package instructions for about 10-12 minutes until al dente.
When should I add the broccoli to the pot?
Add the broccoli florets during the last 3 minutes of the pasta cooking time.
Can I use frozen broccoli for this recipe?
Yes, frozen broccoli florets are perfectly fine to use.
What kind of chicken is best for this dish?
A rotisserie-cooked chicken is recommended for convenience and flavor.
How much chicken do I need?
You will need 1.5 lbs of rotisserie chicken meat, removed and coarsely chopped.
What makes the sauce creamy?
The sauce is made from a semi-soft garlic and herb spreadable cheese mixed with milk.
How much garlic and herb cheese is required?
The recipe calls for 5 ounces of semi-soft garlic and herb spreadable cheese.
How much milk is used in the sauce?
You should use 3/4 cup of milk.
What type of tomatoes are added to the pasta?
The dish includes 1/4 cup of sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained and snipped.
How do I prepare the cheese sauce?
In a saucepan, stir the spreadable cheese and milk over medium heat until melted and smooth.
When do I combine the pasta and the sauce?
Once the cheese sauce is heated through, add the drained pasta, broccoli, and chicken and stir until combined.
What garnish is used for this recipe?
The dish is garnished with fresh chopped Italian parsley and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 300 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 10 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this dish?
There are 37.5 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the protein content of this recipe?
This recipe provides 17.5 grams of protein per serving.
How much fiber is in the Creamy Garlic Chicken & Broccoli Pasta?
Each serving contains 2.5 grams of fiber.
Is this recipe suitable for a quick weeknight meal?
Yes, it is described as a quick and easy meal perfect for busy weeknights.
What category does this recipe belong to?
It is categorized under Whole Chicken and Italian cuisine.
Can I use leftover chicken for this recipe?
Yes, it is a perfect way to utilize leftover rotisserie chicken.
What kind of pepper should I use?
Fresh ground pepper is recommended to taste.
How do I know when the pasta is 'al dente'?
It should be firm to the bite, typically after 10-12 minutes of boiling.
Should the sun-dried tomatoes be drained?
Yes, they should be drained of their oil and snipped before adding to the sauce.
Is Parmigiano-Reggiano mandatory?
It is used as an optional garnish to enhance the flavor of the dish.
Can I use a different type of cheese?
While garlic and herb spreadable cheese is specified, you could experiment with other semi-soft flavored cheeses.
What tools do I need for this recipe?
You will need a large saucepan and a colander.
Is this considered comfort food?
Yes, the description highlights it as the ultimate comfort food.