Description
Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta is a quick and comforting meal combining tender shredded rotisserie chicken, vibrant broccoli florets, and a creamy sauce made with smoked turkey bacon and plant-based cheese. This easy-to-make dish delivers balanced nutrition with protein, vegetables, and whole grains, enhanced by smoky and fresh flavors perfect for weeknight dinners or feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins and Vegetables
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 2 cups broccoli florets, chopped
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon, diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Pasta
- 12 oz penne or fusilli pasta
Sauces and Flavorings
- 1 cup plant-based cheese (shredded)
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon natural gelling agent
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients: Shred the rotisserie chicken into bite-sized pieces. Chop the broccoli into small florets. Dice the onion and mince the garlic to ensure smooth and quick cooking.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve one cup of pasta water before draining the pasta to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
- Sauté the Bacon, Onion, and Garlic: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced smoked turkey bacon and cook until crisp. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until soft and fragrant.
- Cook the Broccoli: Add the broccoli florets to the skillet and sauté for 3-5 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp, retaining a slight crunch for texture.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Stir in shredded plant-based cheese, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), apple cider vinegar (natural), salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle the natural gelling agent evenly over the mixture and gradually add reserved pasta water while stirring continuously until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Add the shredded rotisserie chicken and cooked pasta to the skillet. Gently toss everything together to coat with the creamy sauce. Warm through for 1-2 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Serve and Garnish: Transfer the pasta to serving plates and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately to enjoy the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use fresh broccoli to maintain vibrant color and crisp texture; avoid overcooking.
- Reserve pasta water to thin the sauce without losing creaminess or flavor.
- Stir the plant-based cheese over low heat to ensure smooth melting and prevent separation.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper after combining all ingredients to balance flavors perfectly.
- Use shredded chicken from warm rotisserie to keep it moist and well incorporated in the sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: rotisserie chicken pasta, broccoli pasta, plant-based cheese pasta, quick dinner, smoky turkey bacon pasta, creamy pasta recipe