We all have cravings, and when it comes to cravings, we want them right at that very moment. Well, that’s how I felt the other day when I was craving chicken and broccoli pasta. At the moment, I didn’t know what type of pasta I wanted. However, I did know I wanted something other than the standard chicken Alfredo. So, I brainstormed and came up with this recipe. And I must say, I did that! This is one of the best pasta dishes I have ever made. This rigatoni dish will have you licking your plate. I hope you enjoy it as much as my husband and I do.
What is Chicken & Broccoli Rigatoni
Chicken & Broccoli Rigatoni is made with a homemade buttery, white wine sauce. It is then baked in the oven. What really sets this recipe off is the sauce. The sauce is made with wine, cream, cream cheese, garlic and lemon juice. It is very important that all ingredients I list are used because this dish is delicious and we definitely don’t want to take anything from it.
How to prepare
Preparing this dish is very easy. It may be a lot steps, but it’s not as complicated as one may think. It is made with roasted broccoli. I chose to roast the broccoli because it adds a roasted flavor to the dish. However, the broccoli can be steamed as well, but I highly recommend for you to roast it.
When it comes to preparing the chicken, it is important to pound your chicken to even it out. This will ensure the chicken gets cooked all the way through. Once you pound the chicken, season it on both sides. Next, you will cook the chicken in skillet with vegetable or canola oil. You want to keep all of the drippings and juices in the skillet that was left from cooking the chicken. This will add more flavor to the dish as well.
The sauce, which is the most heavenly thing about this dish. It is made with butter, garlic, cream, cream cheese, white wine, chicken broth and lemon juice. The key ingredient to this sauce is definitely the white wine, so please don’t leave it out. Any kind of dry white wine can be used. I used Chardonnay because that’s what I had, but feel free to use whatever you like. Just make sure you’re not using anything sweet, as sweet wine is not favorable for this dish.
Once you’ve made the sauce, it is then baked in a 325 degree oven. And that’s it! All done!
If you make this recipe, please tag me on IG. I hope you enjoy!
Chicken & Broccoli Rigatoni
Ingredients
- 1 lb. rigatoni
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 2 cups fresh broccoli, chopped into florets
- 3 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 4 oz. cream cheese
- 6 tbsp. unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup white wine
- juice from 1/2 lemon
- 3 garlic cloves, minced approx. 2 tablespoons
- 1 tbsp. garlic powder
- 1 tbsp. onion powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- salt and pepper to taste
- seasoning of choice for chicken I use salt, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika.
- olive oil for broccoli
- 3 tbsp. vegetable or canola oil
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Using a meat mallet or skillet, pound chicken to even it out. This will ensure it cooks all the way through. Season chicken on both sides with seasoning of choice.
- Place broccoli florets on a baking sheet and pour a generous amount of olive oil on it. Season with salt and pepper. Use your hand to coat each piece of broccoli. Cook in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Reduce temperature on oven to 325 degrees once broccoli is removed.
- Heat 3 tbsp. of vegetable or canola oil in a large 12 inch oven safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once oil is hot, add chicken. Cook on one side for 3 minutes. Flip chicken, reduce heat to medium and cover with a lid. Cook for additional 5 minutes. Remove from skillet and let rest.
- Reduce heat to medium low, and add butter to same skillet. Do not remove chicken drippings. Add garlic and sauté for 2 minutes. DO NOT BURN.
- Add wine, then whisk in cream cheese. Keep whisking or stirring until cream cheese is melted.
- Once cream cheese is melted, stir in chicken broth, cream, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder and pepper. Cook uncovered for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Stir in parmesan cheese. Once cheese has melted, add roasted broccoli and cooked pasta. Bake in preheated 325 degree oven for 10 minutes. While it's baking, slice your chicken.
- Remove from oven, and top with sliced chicken and more parmesan cheese. Return to oven, and bake for additional 10 minutes.
- Serve warm.
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