Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta

By:

Caroline

December 17, 2025

Creamy rotisserie chicken broccoli pasta served in a bowl


Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta is a weeknight lifesaver, combining ready-to-eat rotisserie chicken with simple pantry staples for a comforting meal in 30 minutes. The keyword Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta appears early so readers find this guide fast on Pinterest and Facebook.
This guide beats generic recipes by focusing on texture, timing, and pantry hacks that prevent grainy sauce and soggy broccoli, backed by pinch-tested ratios for glossy finish and balanced flavor. In this guide, you’ll learn how to prep, cook, and customize the recipe for family meals or meal prep.

Quick clickable resource: try a flavor twist with Blackened Chicken Alfredo for spice inspiration.
Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta helps busy cooks make a nutritious comfort meal quickly.

What Is Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta?

A quick description clarifies what to expect: penne pasta, tender rotisserie chicken, bright broccoli, and a rich cheese-infused cream sauce. This dish uses pre-cooked chicken for speed, and smart starch management for silky sauce instead of clingy glue.
Expect a balance of protein, carbs, and vegetables, ideal for family dinners or casual entertaining.

Quick Facts about Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta:

  • Prep time, 10 minutes.
  • Cook time, 15 minutes.
  • Serves, 4 people.
  • Protein per serving, about 30 g depending on chicken.

Nutritional highlights presented as quick data:

  • Calories, approx 650 kcal per serving.
  • Protein, 30 g.
  • Fat, 35 g.
    Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta is a balanced one-skillet pasta meal.

Try this creamy pesto pasta if you want a herb-forward alternative.

Benefits of Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta.

This recipe saves time, reduces food waste, and stretches a store-bought rotisserie chicken into multiple meals. It also offers fiber and vitamins from broccoli, while delivering satisfaction from a cheesy sauce.
Nutrition and convenience combine, making it ideal for post-work family dinners and batch-cooking.

Benefits, quick list:

  • Time saving, uses rotisserie chicken to cut cooking time by 20–30 minutes.
  • Cost efficient, stretches 1 chicken into 3–4 meals.
  • Kid friendly, mild cream sauce and familiar pasta texture.
    Expert note: Harvard nutrition guidance emphasizes whole meals that mix lean protein and vegetables, which this recipe supports.
    Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta delivers time, taste, and nutrition advantages.

Explore high-protein chicken recipe ideas to expand your weekly rotation.

Ingredients.

The ingredient list below supplies exact amounts so readers can pin a printable shopping list. Follow the list exactly for the same creamy texture and flavor profile.
Use fresh Parmesan for the best melt and a whole-milk mozzarella for richness.

Ingredient checklist:

  • 1 lb penne pasta.
  • 1 whole rotisserie chicken, 3–4 lbs, shredded, about 4 cups meat.
  • 4 cups broccoli florets, fresh or frozen.
  • 2 tbsp olive oil.
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced fine.
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced small.
  • 2 tbsp butter.
  • 1 cup heavy cream.
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth, low-sodium.
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated.
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, whole milk, shredded.
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning.
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder.
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, optional.
    Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta requires common pantry ingredients and simple fresh cheese.

Step-by-Step Instructions.

Follow these steps exactly to achieve al dente pasta, crisp-tender broccoli, and a glossy sauce. Reserve pasta water to loosen the sauce as needed, and add cheese off heat to avoid graininess.
Each step includes action and expected result so readers can troubleshoot while cooking.

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook penne according to package directions until al dente.
    • Expected result, pasta cooked through but firm to the bite.
  2. During the last 3 minutes, add broccoli florets to the pasta water. Reserve 1 cup starchy pasta water before draining.
    • Expected result, broccoli bright green and tender crisp.
  3. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-low. Cook onion 4–5 minutes until softened, add garlic 30 seconds until fragrant.
    • Expected result, translucent onion and aromatic garlic without browning.
  4. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, simmer gently 2–3 minutes, watch for small bubbles. Remove from heat.
    • Expected result, warmed cream base ready for cheese.
  5. Whisk in Parmesan and mozzarella off heat, season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
    • Expected result, smooth, non-grainy cheese sauce.
  6. Add drained pasta and broccoli, toss with tongs, fold in shredded chicken. Add reserved pasta water 2 tbsp at a time until glossy. Stir in cold knob of butter before serving.
    • Expected result, evenly coated pasta, creamy shine, tender chunks of chicken.
      Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta cooks quickly and yields a glossy, balanced sauce.

Variations & Substitutes.

Swap ingredients to fit diet needs or regional tastes, and note how each change affects texture and time. Substitutes are rated for ease and flavor fidelity.
Small swaps create big flavor adjustments, so consider texture and melting behavior when replacing dairy or pasta.

Variation ideas and effects:

  • Dairy-free, use full-fat coconut cream and dairy-free cheese, adds coconut flavor, sauce stability varies.
  • Whole-wheat pasta, increases fiber by 30%, requires 1–2 extra minutes cooking.
  • Add sun-dried tomatoes, boosts umami and acidity, reduces perceived creaminess slightly.
  • Swap penne for farfalle, similar cook time and mouthfeel.
    Pros and cons, quick view:
  • Faster, rotisserie chicken saves time but limits control of seasoning.
  • Healthier, broccoli adds nutrients but reduce cheese by 25% to cut saturated fat.
    Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta adapts well to dietary tweaks without losing core identity.

Learn about richer Alfredo sauce builds for a silkier finish.

Mistakes to Avoid.

Avoiding common mistakes preserves sauce texture and broccoli crunch, and proper storage keeps leftovers tasty for days. Small technique changes matter.
Follow the checklist to prevent grainy sauce, overcooked broccoli, and bland leftovers.

Checklist, common errors and fixes:

  • Overheating cheese, fix by removing pan from heat before adding cheese.
  • Not reserving pasta water, fix by saving 1 cup to loosen sauce.
  • Soggy broccoli, fix by adding broccoli late or steaming separately.
  • Too-salty sauce, fix by using low-sodium broth and tasting before seasoning.
    Storage tips:
  • Refrigerate in airtight container up to 3 days, reheat gently with splash of broth.
  • Freeze not recommended, cream sauces separate when frozen and thawed.
    Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta stores well refrigerated for up to 3 days with proper reheating.

Related Recipes / See Also.

Pair this pasta with light salads or breads, or swap the base protein using similar sauce techniques. These links offer fast variations and protein ideas for weekly rotation.

Try these related recipes:

Conclusion

This Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta recipe is a reliable weeknight winner, combining speed, flavor, and easy customization for families and meal preppers. For another detailed guide on a similar creamy pasta using leftover rotisserie chicken, see this resource: Creamy leftover rotisserie chicken pasta – Berry&Maple.
Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta gives you fast prep, rich flavor, and flexible options for busy nights.

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Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta

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A quick and comforting pasta dish that combines rotisserie chicken, broccoli, and a rich creamy sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.

  • Author: Caroline Tasty
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Pasta
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: None

Ingredients

  • 1 lb penne pasta
  • 1 whole rotisserie chicken, shredded (about 4 cups meat)
  • 4 cups broccoli florets, fresh or frozen
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup whole milk mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook penne according to package directions until al dente.
  2. During the last 3 minutes, add broccoli florets to the pasta water. Reserve 1 cup starchy pasta water before draining.
  3. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-low. Cook onion for 4–5 minutes until softened, then add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, simmer gently for 2–3 minutes, watching for small bubbles. Remove from heat.
  5. Whisk in Parmesan and mozzarella off heat, seasoning with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
  6. Add drained pasta and broccoli, tossing with tongs. Fold in shredded chicken, and add reserved pasta water 2 tbsp at a time until glossy. Stir in a cold knob of butter before serving.

Notes

For best results, use fresh Parmesan for melting and whole-milk mozzarella for richness.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 650
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 800mg
  • Fat: 35g
  • Saturated Fat: 15g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 65g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 100mg

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