Description
This One Pan Creamy Pesto Chicken & Broccoli Pasta is a quick and delicious meal featuring tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and rigatoni pasta all coated in a rich and creamy pesto sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this comforting dish comes together in just 40 minutes, combining simple ingredients for a flavorful and satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound rigatoni pasta
Protein & Vegetables
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 head of broccoli, cut into florets
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for cooking
Sauce
- 1/2 cup pesto
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rigatoni pasta and cook until al dente, usually about 10-12 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Cook Chicken and Broccoli: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken and season with salt and pepper. Brown the chicken pieces on all sides until cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, add the broccoli florets and cook until tender-crisp, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Make the Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the broccoli. Stir in the pesto, heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook and stir until the sauce is heated through and slightly thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
- Combine: Add the cooked rigatoni pasta to the skillet and toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy pesto sauce.
- Serve: Serve immediately, topped with additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a plant-based cream.
- You can swap rigatoni with other pasta shapes like penne or farfalle.
- Add garlic or onion when cooking chicken for extra flavor.
- If you prefer more heat, increase red pepper flakes to your taste.
- To keep broccoli vibrant, do not overcook; it should remain slightly crisp.
