Rotini Pasta with Chicken, Broccoli, Tomatoes, Parmesan, and Fresh Basil
Course Main
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 10 minutesminutes
Cook Time 20 minutesminutes
Total Time 35 minutesminutes
Servings 4
Author Pam / For the Love of Cooking
Equipment
Large skillet
Large pot
Ingredients
1tbspolive oil(divided)
2boneless skinless chicken breaststrimmed of any fat
Sea salt and freshly cracked pepperto taste
Garlic powderto taste
7ozwhole-grain rotini pastacooked per instructions
½sweet yellow onionchopped
Dash of crushed red pepper flakesmore if desired
4-5small cloves of garlicminced
1cupof grape tomatoes
1 ½cupsof chicken broth
1 ½cupsof broccoli florets
¼cupof Parmesan cheesefinely grated (more if desired)
2tbspfresh basilchopped
Instructions
Heat 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Season both sides of the chicken breasts with sea salt, freshly cracked pepper, and garlic powder, to taste.
Add the chicken breasts to the hot skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes before flipping and cooking the other side for another 5-6 minutes, or until the chicken breasts are cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set on a cutting board loosely covered by a tin foil tent.
Prepare the rotini in a large pot of salted water per instructions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water.
While the pasta is cooking, add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet you cooked the chicken in then add the onion and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring often, for 2-3 minutes.
Add the minced garlic and grape tomatoes then cook, stirring constantly for 1 minute. Add the chicken broth and cook for 3 minutes.
Add the broccoli and cook for 3-4 minutes or until the broccoli is just tender.
Dice the chicken and add it and their juices back to the pan. Add the cooked & drained rotini pasta, Parmesan cheese, and fresh basil then mix until combined; add any reserved pasta water needed. Season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste.
Pour into a serving bowl with a little more Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top, if desired. Serve immediately. Enjoy.