This one-pan chicken and broccoli pasta is a creamy, cheesy, and flavorful dish made with tender chicken breast, pesto, heavy cream, mozzarella, and penne pasta. It’s the perfect quick and easy weeknight meal, with minimal cleanup!
One Pan Chicken and Broccoli Pasta
One-pan chicken and broccoli pasta, topped with golden-broiled mozzarella
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cups broccoli florets steamed
- 2 cups penne pasta
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp cup pesto
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Cook the Pasta
- Boil the penne pasta in salted water according to the package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before draining and set the pasta aside.
Steam the Broccoli
- Steam the broccoli florets until tender but still crisp, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
Cook the Chicken
- Heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned and fully cooked. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Sauté Onion and Garlic
- In the same skillet, add the onion and garlic. Sauté until fragrant and softened.
Make the Sauce
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream, pesto, and reserved pasta water. Mix well to create a creamy sauce.
Combine Pasta, Broccoli, and Chicken
- Stir in the cooked pasta, steamed broccoli, and chicken. Mix until evenly coated with the sauce.
Add Mozzarella and Broil
- Stir in 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, letting it melt into the mixture.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella evenly over the top.
- Transfer the skillet to the oven and broil on high for 2-4 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Serve and Enjoy
