Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta

Name: Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 lb penne or fettuccine pasta (Any pasta shape works); 3 cups broccoli florets (Fresh or frozen); 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (Store-bought saves time); 4 tbsp butter (Real butter for richness); 4 cloves garlic (minced,Fresh is best); 1 cup heavy cream (Or half-and-half); 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (Freshly grated melts better); 1/2 cup pasta water (Reserved from cooking); 1 tsp Italian seasoning (Adds depth); 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (Optional for heat); Salt and black pepper (To taste); Fresh parsley ( For garnish)

This Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta is the weeknight dinner hero that literally saves me every single week. Shredded rotisserie chicken, tender broccoli, and creamy garlic Parmesan sauce all tossed with pasta that's it. Twenty minutes from start to finish, one pot, and you've got this comforting family dinner everyone actually eats without complaining. I make this Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta when I need something fast, delicious, and filling without spending an hour in the kitchen.

This Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta is the weeknight dinner that saves my sanity every single week. Tender rotisserie chicken, crisp broccoli florets, and creamy garlic Parmesan sauce tossed with pasta simple, comforting, and ready in 20 minutes. The kind of easy chicken pasta that tastes like you actually tried.

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Why You'll Love This Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta Recipe

Real talk—this rotisserie chicken broccoli pasta is hands-down the easiest weeknight dinner I make and my family requests it constantly.

What Actually Works: This rotisserie chicken broccoli pasta recipe uses store-bought rotisserie chicken (genius time-saver), fresh broccoli that cooks right in the pasta water, and a simple creamy garlic Parmesan sauce made in one skillet. That's literally the whole thing. Takes maybe 10 minutes of actual hands-on work, then 15 minutes of cooking. Comes out looking and tasting like restaurant-quality chicken broccoli Alfredo pasta but costs a fraction and uses up that leftover rotisserie chicken sitting in your fridge. My kids eat the broccoli without complaining because it's coated in cheese sauce.

Why Other Methods Fail: Most chicken broccoli pasta recipes mess up by making complicated white sauces with roux that take forever, or they cook the broccoli separately which dirties more dishes. Some use too much cream and it gets heavy and greasy instead of silky. Others don't use pasta water which means the sauce doesn't cling properly to the noodles. This creamy chicken broccoli pasta method keeps it dead simple—pasta water is your secret weapon, minimal dishes, maximum flavor every single time.

The thing that changed everything: Understanding that you need PASTA WATER and ROTISSERIE CHICKEN for rotisserie chicken broccoli pasta. My first attempt I didn't save any pasta water because I didn't think it mattered, and I used raw chicken that I had to cook first. The sauce was thick and gloopy, wouldn't coat the pasta, and I wasted 40 minutes cooking and shredding chicken. Started using rotisserie chicken and adding pasta water to the sauce and suddenly everything came together in 20 minutes with this silky creamy texture that coats every piece of pasta perfectly. That starchy pasta water is what makes this easy rotisserie chicken pasta actually work instead of being a dry, clumpy mess.

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Why You'll Love This Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta Recipe
What You'll Need for Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta Recipe
How to Make Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta Recipe
Top Tip
Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
Storage and Reuse Instructions
What to Serve With Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta Recipe
My Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta Recipe Journey
FAQ
Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta
Related
Pairing

What You'll Need for Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta Recipe

Mostly pantry staples plus a rotisserie chicken. This is genuinely the easiest creamy pasta you'll make this week.

Main Ingredients

Pasta (penne, fettuccine, or bowtie)
Broccoli florets
Rotisserie chicken
Butter
Garlic
Heavy cream
Parmesan cheese
Italian seasoning

Optional Add-Ins

Red pepper flakes
Lemon zest
Sun-dried tomatoes
Mozzarella
Bacon bits
Fresh basil

Exact measurements in the Recipe card.

How to Make Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta Recipe

This Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta comes together ridiculously fast. The technique is almost embarrassingly simple.

Cook the Pasta and Broccoli

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil
Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente
Usually takes 10-12 minutes depending on pasta shape
In the last 3-4 minutes of cooking, add broccoli florets directly to the pasta water
This cooks the broccoli perfectly and saves you from dirtying another pot
Before draining, scoop out and save at least 1 cup of starchy pasta water
This pasta water is liquid gold for making creamy sauce—don't skip this step
Drain pasta and broccoli together in a colander
Give them a quick shake but don't rinse—you want some starch clinging

Make the Creamy Garlic Sauce

While pasta cooks, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat
Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute
Watch it carefully—burnt garlic tastes bitter and ruins everything
Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer
Don't let it boil rapidly or the cream might break
Add Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes if you want heat, salt, and black pepper
Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes until it starts to thicken slightly
The cream will reduce and get silkier as it cooks
This is your base for the creamy chicken broccoli pasta sauce

Add Chicken and Cheese

Reduce heat to medium-low to prevent the cheese from seizing
Add shredded rotisserie chicken to the creamy garlic sauce
Stir to coat all the chicken pieces in that gorgeous cream
Sprinkle in grated Parmesan cheese gradually while stirring constantly
Adding it slowly prevents clumping and ensures smooth melting
The Parmesan will melt into the sauce creating that silky Alfredo texture
If sauce gets too thick, add splashes of reserved pasta water
The starchy water helps thin the sauce while keeping it creamy
Keep adding pasta water until you reach desired consistency

Combine and Serve

Add drained pasta and broccoli to the skillet with the creamy chicken sauce
Toss everything together gently using tongs or a wooden spoon
Make sure every piece of pasta gets coated in that gorgeous sauce
Add more pasta water if needed to keep it saucy and glossy
The sauce should cling to the pasta, not pool at the bottom
Taste and adjust salt and pepper Parmesan is salty so be careful
Serve immediately while hot—the sauce thickens as it sits
Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese
Maybe add a drizzle of olive oil for shine if you're feeling fancy

rotisserie chicken broccoli pasta tossed in creamy sauce

You'll have this amazing rotisserie chicken broccoli pasta with perfectly cooked broccoli and tender chicken all coated in creamy garlic Parmesan sauce that tastes exactly like restaurant Alfredo.

Top Tip

Save at least 1 cup of pasta water before draining for rotisserie chicken broccoli pasta. Made this mistake five times by draining everything without saving pasta water. The sauce was too thick and gloopy, wouldn't coat the noodles properly, and I had to add milk which made it taste watered down and bland. Started scooping out pasta water before draining and suddenly I could control the sauce consistency perfectly add a splash at a time until it's silky and coats every piece of pasta. That starchy pasta water is what makes restaurant-quality creamy chicken broccoli pasta at home.

Also, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese instead of the pre-shredded stuff. Fresh Parmesan melts smoothly into the sauce while pre-shredded has anti-caking agents that make it grainy. Worth the extra 2 minutes of grating

Ingredient Substitutions & Variations

The base Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta is perfect but you can customize it.

With Different Proteins

Use leftover grilled chicken or turkey instead of rotisserie chicken. Cooked shrimp works great too for seafood lovers. Even crispy bacon pieces turn this into bacon broccoli pasta. Makes your easy rotisserie chicken pasta more versatile.

Vegetable Options

Add cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, or spinach for more veggies. Use cauliflower instead of broccoli for different flavor. Frozen broccoli works when fresh isn't available just add it frozen to the pasta water. Makes your chicken and broccoli pasta even healthier.

Cheese Variations

Mix mozzarella with Parmesan for extra melty cheese. Add cream cheese for tangier, thicker sauce. Use Asiago or Romano for sharper flavor in your creamy chicken broccoli pasta.

Make It Lighter

Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for fewer calories. Swap some cream for chicken broth to lighten the sauce. Use whole wheat pasta for more fiber. Still creamy and delicious but less heavy.

Add More Flavor

Stir in sun-dried tomatoes for tangy sweetness. Add lemon juice and zest for brightness. Use pesto instead of Italian seasoning for basil flavor. Transforms your rotisserie chicken pasta recipe into something special.

Spicy Version

Add extra red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to the sauce. Use spicy Italian sausage instead of chicken. Drizzle with hot honey before serving. Makes your chicken broccoli Alfredo pasta have serious kick.

Baked Version

Transfer everything to a baking dish, top with breadcrumbs and cheese, and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes. Turns this into chicken and broccoli pasta bake with crispy topping.

Storage and Reuse Instructions

Yeah, rotisserie chicken broccoli pasta keeps great for meal prep actually.

Refrigerator: Store leftover chicken broccoli pasta in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The sauce will thicken as it sits—totally normal. Reheat gently on stovetop with a splash of milk or chicken broth to loosen the sauce. Microwave works too but add liquid first or it'll be dry.

Freezing: This creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta freezes okay for up to 2 months but cream sauces can separate slightly when thawed. Let it cool completely, portion into freezer containers, and freeze. Thaw overnight in fridge and reheat on stovetop, stirring constantly. Add extra cream or pasta water to bring the sauce back together.

Make-Ahead: You can cook the pasta and broccoli ahead, store separately from the sauce. Make the creamy chicken sauce fresh when ready to eat. Or prep everything completely and reheat—just know you'll need to add liquid to restore creaminess.

Serving: This one-pot Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta is best enjoyed fresh when the sauce is still silky. But leftovers reheat surprisingly well if you add moisture. My kids eat the leftovers cold straight from the fridge which is honestly chaotic but they love it.

What to Serve With Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta Recipe

This creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta is hearty enough to be a complete meal but pairs great with simple sides.

Classic Options

Garlic bread for soaking up extra sauce, Caesar salad for crunch, or roasted asparagus for more veggies. The sides keep it simple so the pasta stays the star.

Light Additions

Serve with a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette. The peppery greens cut through the richness of the creamy pasta. Add some cherry tomatoes for color.

Make It Special

Pair this easy rotisserie chicken pasta with roasted garlic knots, Caprese salad, or grilled vegetables for an Italian-style dinner that feels fancy but took 30 minutes total.

Kid-Friendly Spread

My kids love this chicken broccoli Alfredo pasta with buttered corn, dinner rolls, and fruit salad. Everything's mild enough that even picky eaters clean their plates.

My Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta Recipe Journey

First time I made rotisserie chicken broccoli pasta I used raw chicken breasts that I had to cook and shred myself. Took 45 minutes just prepping the chicken, then the broccoli got mushy because I cooked it separately and reheated it. My husband ate it but suggested maybe we order pizza next time.

Tried again using store-bought rotisserie chicken and cooking broccoli in the pasta water. Suddenly dinner was ready in 20 minutes and the broccoli was perfectly crisp-tender. My kids who normally hate broccoli asked for seconds.

Then I made it without saving pasta water and the sauce was thick and gloopy, wouldn't coat the noodles properly. Started reserving pasta water before draining and got that silky restaurant-quality sauce that clings to every piece of pasta.

Now I make this creamy chicken broccoli pasta twice a week because I know the tricks—rotisserie chicken saves time, broccoli cooks with pasta, pasta water makes perfect sauce, serve immediately while hot.

FAQ

Do you need to cook the broccoli before adding it to the pasta?

For rotisserie chicken broccoli pasta, you can cook the broccoli directly in the pasta water during the last 3-4 minutes of cooking this is the easiest method and saves dishes. Or you can blanch it separately if you want more control. Frozen broccoli can go straight into the boiling pasta water without thawing. Don't overcook it or it'll get mushy broccoli should be bright green and crisp-tender, not soft and gray.

Do you need to cook the broccoli before adding it to the pasta?

For rotisserie chicken broccoli pasta, you can cook the broccoli directly in the pasta water during the last 3-4 minutes of cooking this is the easiest method and saves dishes. Or you can blanch it separately if you want more control. Frozen broccoli can go straight into the boiling pasta water without thawing. Don't overcook it or it'll get mushy broccoli should be bright green and crisp-tender, not soft and gray.

Can I use store-bought rotisserie chicken for this recipe?

Yes! Store-bought rotisserie chicken is actually perfect for this chicken broccoli pasta it's already seasoned and cooked, saving you 30+ minutes. Just shred the meat off the bones and add it to the creamy sauce. This is literally why rotisserie chicken exists for easy weeknight dinners like this. The seasoning from the rotisserie chicken adds extra flavor to the pasta too.

What pasta shape works best with chicken and broccoli?

Penne, fettuccine, and bowtie (farfalle) all work great for rotisserie chicken broccoli pasta. Penne's tubes catch the sauce and chicken pieces. Fettuccine gives you classic Alfredo vibes with long creamy noodles. Bowtie pasta looks pretty and holds sauce well. Use whatever pasta shape you have they all taste good with creamy chicken broccoli sauce.

How do you make the pasta sauce creamy without heavy cream?

You can make chicken broccoli pasta sauce creamy using half-and-half, whole milk with a bit of cream cheese, or even Greek yogurt stirred in at the end. The key is using reserved pasta water that starchy water helps create silky texture even with less cream. Some people use evaporated milk for richness without heavy cream. The Parmesan cheese also adds creaminess as it melts into the sauce.

More Recipes You'll Love

Once you've nailed this Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta recipe, try my Christmas Cranberry Meatballs Recipe for the easiest holiday appetizer that disappears in minutes. My Sausage and Egg Casserole is perfect for make-ahead breakfast with savory sausage and fluffy eggs everyone loves. And my Italian Christmas Cookies Recipe makes dessert special buttery cookies with colorful sprinkles that are pure holiday magic.