This chicken and broccoli pasta dish is a simple and delicious weeknight meal that can be prepared in under 30 minutes. The tender chicken, crisp broccoli and al dente pasta are cooked together in a flavorful creamy cheese sauce for a satisfying and easy One Pot Meal.
One Pot Chicken and Broccoli Pasta
One pot meals have become increasingly popular lately because they are simple and convenient- don’t let that fool you into thinking they are flavorless, though! I love them because they are fast to prep, fast to cook and only use one pot, resulting in easy cleanup and minimal dishwashing.
There are many different one pot meals out there, some popular ones are my Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo, Chicken and Rice Bake and my Olive Garden Ziti Copycat. However, this Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli may have taken it’s place at the top for my favorite.
Let’s get cooking!
Ingredients in Chicken Broccoli Pasta
Full list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the printable recipe below.
- Uncooked Pasta– I used mini penne pasta when taking the pictures in this post, but any type of pasta will work. The shape and size will determine how long it has to boil, though.
- Chicken Broth
- Heavy Whipping Cream-make sure to use heavy whipping cream! Milk or half and half will curdle during the boiling process.
- Garlic Powder– You can use 1 tsp of minced garlic instead of garlic powder, if desired.
- Salt and pepper
- Chopped Broccoli– Feel free to add extra broccoli! This can be fresh broccoli or frozen broccoli florets.
- Chopped Rotisserie Chicken-I use rotisserie chicken, but if you have a lot leftover chopped, shredded or even grilled chicken, this would work great!
- Cheddar Soup– I use Campbell’s brand of Cheddar Soup.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese– Shred your own cheddar cheese instead of using the pre shredded cheese, the result is a super creamy sauce!
How to Make Chicken and Broccoli Pasta
- Add the uncooked pasta, chicken broth, heavy whipping cream, garlic, salt and pepper into a large pan. Place a lid on the pan and turn the heat on to medium high.
- Remove the lid and allow the mixture to simmer for 5-6 minutes, or until the pasta is almost al dente. Stir occasionally while the pasta is simmering.
- Add the chopped broccoli to the pan and simmer until the pasta is al dente. Turn the heat down to low.
- Stir in the chopped rotisserie chicken and can of cheddar soup. Stir until mixed evenly.
- Add the shredded cheese to the pan and stir until melted.
- Serve immediately!
Can I use frozen broccoli for chicken broccoli pasta?
Yes! Just toss it in as directed in the recipe instructions.
How long does it take to cook chicken broccoli pasta?
From start to eating you are looking at about 20 minutes with this pasta recipe.
Can I use a different type of pasta for this recipe?
Absolutely. Penne, ziti, linguine, elbows are all great options.
How do I store leftover pasta?
Store your leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. When it is time to reheat your pasta, you can reheat in the microwave at 50% power for 30 seconds, stir and then repeat until hot.
Can I make chicken broccoli pasta without chicken?
Definitely! Just omit the chicken and you’ll have a cheesy broccoli pasta.
How can I add more flavor to my chicken and broccoli pasta?
If you’d like to add even more flavor, try adding some onion, oregano or even paprika to the sauce.
More Rotisserie Chicken Meals
Chicken and Broccoli Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 lb uncooked pasta I used mini penne for the photos
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 3 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 1/2 cups chopped broccoli
- 4 cups chopped rotisserie chicken
- 1 can cheddar soup
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- In a large pan, add the uncooked pasta, chicken broth, heavy whipping cream, garlic, salt and pepper.
- Place a lid on the pan and turn the heat on to medium high.
- Once the liquid begins to boil, remove the lid and allow the mixture to simmer for 5-6 minutes.
- Add the chopped broccoli to the pan and simmer until the pasta is al dente. Turn the heat down to low.
- Stir in the chopped rotisserie chicken and can of cheddar soup. Stir until mixed evenly.
- Add the shredded cheese to the pan and stir until melted.
- Serve immediately!
Amber says
Walmart didn’t have any regular cheddar cheese cans so I substituted it for a can of Fiesta Nacho Cheese. I was worried it wouldn’t be good, but dang! This was a hit!
Trisha says
Delicious! I used rotisserie chicken, and it came out fantastic. All my kids loved it, and it was so quick to make. Thank you!