Creamy Broccoli & Chicken Penne
Tender penne pasta tossed in a light creamy garlic sauce with juicy chicken, steamed broccoli, parmesan, and herbs.
Creamy but not heavy — simple, satisfying, and ready in under 30 minutes!
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 2–3
Ingredients
For the Chicken
1 large chicken breast, diced
1 tbsp olive oil
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp oregano
Salt & black pepper
For the Pasta
2 cups penne pasta
2 cups broccoli florets
Creamy Garlic Sauce
1 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup milk
½ cup chicken broth
¼ cup light cream or evaporated milk
2 tbsp cream cheese OR ¼ cup Greek yogurt
¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated
½ tsp dried basil
Salt & pepper to taste
Optional Add-Ins
Chili flakes
Lemon zest
Fresh parsley
More parmesan
Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
Bring salted water to a boil.
Add penne and cook according to package instructions.
In the last 3 minutes, add broccoli to the boiling water.
Drain and set aside.
2. Cook the Chicken
Heat olive oil in a pan.
Add diced chicken, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Cook 6–7 minutes until golden and fully cooked.
Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
3. Make the Creamy Sauce
In the same pan, add butter and garlic.
Saute 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add milk + chicken broth and bring to a light simmer.
Stir in cream cheese or Greek yogurt, letting it melt.
Add parmesan, dried basil, salt, and pepper.
Simmer 2–3 minutes until creamy.
4. Combine Everything
Add the cooked penne + broccoli + chicken into the sauce.
Toss well until fully coated.
Simmer 1–2 minutes so flavors come together.
5. Serve
Top with:
Extra parmesan
Fresh parsley
A squeeze of lemon
Tips
For extra creamy texture: add 2 tbsp pasta water.
For lighter version: use Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese.
Use whole-wheat penne for more fiber.
Nutritional Information
Calories: ~480
Protein: 38g
Carbs: 54g
Fat: 14g