Description
This creamy Sun-Dried Tomato and Chicken Penne with Broccoli is a weeknight dinner dream—savory, rich, and done in under 30 minutes. Juicy chicken, vibrant broccoli, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan cream sauce come together for the perfect cozy meal that feels fancy without the fuss.
Ingredients
2 large chicken breasts, sliced thin
1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
12 oz penne pasta
2 cups broccoli florets
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 ½ cups heavy cream
¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne pasta and cook according to package directions. Add broccoli florets in the last 2-3 minutes of boiling. Drain together and set aside.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Add sliced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden and fully cooked through (about 5-6 minutes). Remove from skillet and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add a bit more olive oil if needed. Sauté garlic until fragrant (about 30 seconds), then stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
4. Reduce heat to medium-low. Pour in heavy cream and stir to combine. Let it warm, then add Parmesan cheese and stir until creamy and smooth.
5. Return cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and broccoli. Toss everything to coat well in the sauce. Add red pepper flakes if desired.
6. Serve warm, topped with extra Parmesan and chopped parsley if preferred.
Notes
For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, but be careful not to boil to avoid curdling.
To save time, use pre-chopped sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil.
Add more Parmesan at the end for a stronger umami punch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 460mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: sun-dried tomato pasta, chicken penne, broccoli pasta