Creamy Chicken Penne with Broccoli & Peppers

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts (sliced)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• garlic powder (to taste)
• salt (to taste)
• pepper (to taste)
• 8 oz penne
• 1 cup broccoli
• 1 red bell pepper
• 2 garlic cloves
• 0.5 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 0.5 cup mozzarella or cheddar
• 0.25 cup Parmesan
• Parsley (for garnish)
• chili flakes (for garnish)
• extra Parmesan (for garnish)

Steps

1. 1

   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

2. 2

   Add the 8 oz of penne to the boiling water and cook according to package directions.

3. 3

   During the last 2 minutes of the pasta cooking time, add the 1 cup of broccoli to the pot.

4. 4

   Drain the pasta and broccoli and set aside.

5. 5

   Season the sliced chicken breasts with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

6. 6

   Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, then remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.

7. 7

   In the same pan, add the sliced red bell pepper and 2 minced garlic cloves. Sauté until the peppers are slightly softened.

8. 8

   Pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth and 1 cup heavy cream. Bring to a simmer and let it cook until the sauce has slightly thickened.

9. 9

   Stir in 1/2 cup mozzarella (or cheddar) and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.

10. 10

    Return the cooked pasta, broccoli, and chicken to the pan. Toss everything together until thoroughly coated in the sauce.

11. 11

    Serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley, chili flakes, and extra Parmesan cheese.

Notes

Tips & Variations: Use rotisserie chicken for faster prep. Swap broccoli for spinach or peas. Add cream cheese for extra richness. Use whole wheat pasta for a lighter option.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• pasta
• chicken
• creamy
• dinner
• one-pan
• cheesy