A rich and creamy pasta dish made with tender chicken, penne pasta, broccoli, and red bell peppers tossed in a luscious Parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for an easy, comforting dinner.
Author:Sophia
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:20 minutes
Total Time:30 minutes
Yield:4 servings
Category:Dinner
Method:Stovetop
Cuisine:American
Diet:Halal
Ingredients
12 oz penne pasta
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 red bell pepper, sliced
2 cups broccoli florets
1 lb (450 g) chicken breast or chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup chicken broth
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Optional: red pepper flakes to add heat
Instructions
Cook the penne pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper and cook for 5–7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
In the same skillet, sauté garlic, red bell pepper, and broccoli for 3–4 minutes until tender-crisp.
Stir in the heavy cream, chicken broth, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
Add the cooked chicken and pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat everything in the sauce. Adjust seasoning as needed.
Serve warm, topped with extra Parmesan or herbs if desired.
Notes
Use half-and-half for a lighter sauce.
Frozen broccoli works if thawed and drained well.
Add a splash of broth or pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
Try other veggies like spinach, mushrooms, or peas.