Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta – if you’re looking for a fast, comforting dinner that turns a store-bought rotisserie into an indulgent weeknight feast, this recipe is for you. This Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta is targeted at busy home cooks, families, and anyone who loves easy, satisfying meals.
This Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta combines tender rotisserie chicken, bright broccoli, and a silky sauce that comes together in under 30 minutes. The main benefit: restaurant-style comfort with minimal effort. Read on to learn how to make a crowd-pleasing Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta that’s beginner-friendly, time-saving, and budget-smart, and why this Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta will become a repeat favorite.
For cooks who like step-by-step clarity or quick voice-guided instructions, this post walks you through ingredients, equipment, troubleshooting, storage, nutrition, and safe cooking tips so you can get dinner on the table confidently. If you prefer baked chicken instead of rotisserie, try this baked boneless skinless chicken thighs for a hearty swap.
Table of Contents
What Makes This Recipe So Special
This Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta hits several sweet spots: it’s fast, forgiving, and familiar. The rotisserie chicken brings ready-cooked protein and deep flavor, broccoli adds color and nutrients, and the creamy sauce feels indulgent without complicated techniques.
Emotional wins include comfort, nostalgia, and the pride of serving a family-pleasing meal. Practical benefits: this recipe is easy, affordable, beginner-friendly, and perfect for leftover use, all key phrases home cooks search for when planning weeknight dinners.
Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta
Ingredients
Method
- Bring salted water to a boil. Cook pasta al dente per package directions (usually 9–11 minutes).
- In the last 3 minutes of pasta cooking, add broccoli florets to blanch. Drain pasta and broccoli together and reserve 1 cup pasta water.
- While pasta cooks, remove skin and shred the meat into bite-sized pieces. Discard bones. Keep some dark meat for moisture.
- In your skillet, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
- Sprinkle flour evenly and whisk for 1 minute to form a light roux.
- Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Bring to a gentle simmer and let thicken for 2–3 minutes. If using cream cheese or heavy cream, stir it in now until smooth.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in grated Parmesan until melted and emulsified. Season with salt, pepper, and lemon zest.
- Add shredded rotisserie chicken and broccoli, folding gently to coat.
- Toss cooked pasta into the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time to reach your desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Finish with chopped parsley and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan. Serve hot.
Notes
What You’ll Need to Make Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta
- Rotisserie chicken (2-3 cups shredded), use leftovers or store-bought for convenience.
- Pasta (12-16 oz; penne, rotini, or farfalle), cooks quickly and holds sauce well.
- Broccoli florets (2 cups), fresh or frozen; adds texture and color.
- Butter (2 tbsp), base for a richer sauce.
- Olive oil (1 tbsp), helps sauté aromatics.
- Garlic (3 cloves, minced), essential flavor.
- All-purpose flour (2 tbsp), for a light roux to thicken the sauce.
- Milk (1 1/2-2 cups), whole or 2% for creaminess; substitute unsweetened plant milk if dairy-free.
- Parmesan cheese (3/4 cup, freshly grated), boosts depth and umami.
- Cream cheese or heavy cream (2-4 oz), optional, for extra silkiness.
- Lemon zest (1 tsp) and black pepper, bright finishing touches.
- Salt to taste and crushed red pepper (optional), for seasoning balance.
- Fresh parsley (chopped), garnish for color and freshness.
Equipment
- Large pot for boiling pasta and blanching broccoli.
- Large sauté pan or skillet (12-inch recommended) for the sauce and combining ingredients.
- Colander for draining pasta/broccoli.
- Measuring cups and spoons, wooden spoon, and chef’s knife.
Recommended (affiliate-friendly): a heavy-bottom skillet with a lid and a microplane for zesting makes the process smoother for repeat cooks.
Step-by-Step Process
Prepare pasta and broccoli
- Bring salted water to a boil. Cook pasta al dente per package directions (usually 9-11 minutes).
- In the last 3 minutes of pasta cooking, add broccoli florets to blanch. Drain pasta and broccoli together and reserve 1 cup pasta water.
Shred the rotisserie chicken
- While pasta cooks, remove skin and shred the meat into bite-sized pieces. Discard bones. Keep some dark meat for moisture.
Build the base sauce (Roux method)
- In your skillet, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
- Sprinkle flour evenly and whisk for 1 minute to form a light roux.
Add milk and thicken
- Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Bring to a gentle simmer and let thicken for 2–3 minutes. If using cream cheese or heavy cream, stir it in now until smooth.
Finish the sauce and combine
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in grated Parmesan until melted and emulsified. Season with salt, pepper, and lemon zest. Add shredded rotisserie chicken and broccoli, folding gently to coat.
- Toss cooked pasta into the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time to reach your desired consistency.
Serve
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Finish with chopped parsley and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan. Serve hot.
Sub-steps for Complex Timing
- If using frozen broccoli, microwave or steam separately to avoid overcooking pasta.
- For thicker sauces, reduce by simmering longer; for thinner, use pasta water or extra milk.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
- Sauce too thin? Whisk in a small slurry of 1 tsp cornstarch and 1 tbsp cold water, simmer to thicken.
- Sauce too thick or clumpy? Whisk while adding warm pasta water slowly, this rescues texture and adds starch for better coating.
- Chicken dry? Add a splash of reserved chicken juices (if available), or a spoonful of pesto or extra olive oil to add moisture.
- Want more flavor? Sauté a finely chopped shallot with the garlic or add a spoonful of Dijon mustard for brightness.
- Short on time? Use pre-cut frozen broccoli and microwave while pasta cooks.
Common mistakes include overheating dairy (which can separate) and overcooking broccoli (which turns mushy). Keep sauce on low heat once cheese is added and add broccoli last to retain its bite.
Best Ways to Use & Easy Variations
- Family dinner: Serve with a simple green salad and crusty bread.
- Lighter version: Swap half the milk for low-sodium chicken broth and use less cheese.
- One-pan variation: Cook the pasta directly in the sauce with extra stock for a one-pot pasta approach (adjust liquid ratios).
- Meal prep: Portion into airtight containers for lunches. Reheat gently with a splash of water or milk.
- Flavor swaps: Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, baby spinach, or peas for color and variety.
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days. For snappier broccoli, store pasta and broccoli separately from sauce and combine when reheating.
- Freezer: Freeze in meal-sized portions up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheating: Gently reheat on the stove over low heat with a few tablespoons of milk to re-emulsify the sauce (microwaving works too, stir every 30 seconds).
Health Benefits & Value Facts
- Protein: Rotisserie chicken provides a convenient, lean protein source that keeps this dish satisfying.
- Vegetables: Broccoli adds fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin K, an easy way to boost veggie intake.
- Calories & fats: Use reduced-fat milk and skip extra cream for a lighter calorie and fat profile. Each serving (approximate) ranges from 450-650 calories depending on portions and dairy choices.
- Key takeaways: This recipe balances convenience, comfort, and nutrition, and is easily adapted for lower-calorie or higher-protein needs.
Food Safety
- Hygiene: Wash hands, cutting boards, and utensils after handling raw foods and before touching ready-to-eat ingredients.
- Safe temperatures: Reheat rotisserie chicken to at least 165°F (74°C) if using refrigerated leftovers. Cook pasta to al dente per package guidance.
- Cross-contamination: Use separate knives for shredding chicken if you handled raw poultry previously. If using store-bought rotisserie, ensure it was stored properly before use.
- Cooling: Refrigerate leftovers within two hours of cooking to prevent bacterial growth.
FAQs
Can I use frozen rotisserie-style chicken?
Yes. Use thawed, fully cooked shredded chicken. If reheating frozen chicken, warm it to 165°F (74°C) before combining with the pasta to ensure food safety and even texture.
How long does Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta take to make?
Active time is typically 20-30 minutes: 10-12 minutes to cook pasta and broccoli, plus 8-10 minutes to make the sauce and combine everything.
What pasta is best for this recipe?
Short tubular pastas like penne, rotini, or farfalle are ideal because they trap sauce. For a gluten-free option, use certified GF pasta and adjust cooking time.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes. Replace milk with unsweetened almond or oat milk and use a dairy-free cream cheese and nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor. Texture will be slightly different but still tasty.
How do I prevent the broccoli from getting mushy?
Blanch broccoli in the boiling pasta water during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, then immediately drain. Reserve crisp bite by adding broccoli to the sauce right before serving.
Conclusion
This Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta delivers a fast, comforting dinner solution that’s both family-friendly and versatile. Key takeaways: you can turn a store-bought rotisserie into a silky, flavorful pasta in under 30 minutes, customize for health or indulgence, and store leftovers smartly for easy reheats. Try one of the easy variations, swap ingredients to match pantry staples, and enjoy a weeknight win.
For another creamy leftover rotisserie chicken idea with slightly different flavors, check out this Creamy leftover rotisserie chicken pasta.
If you loved this approach and want crispy chicken alternatives, consider pairing recipes like crispy homemade baked chicken tenders with a lighter sauce next time.
