High Protein Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli (Printable version)

Protein-rich pasta with rotisserie chicken, broccoli, and creamy Greek yogurt sauce. Ready in 22 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta & Vegetables

01 - 12 ounces whole-wheat penne or fusilli pasta
02 - 3 cups fresh or frozen broccoli florets

→ Protein

03 - 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken, white and dark meat mixed

→ Sauce

04 - 1/2 cup low-fat Greek yogurt
05 - 1/4 cup low-fat cottage cheese
06 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for garnishing
07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
10 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
11 - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

13 - 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
14 - Extra grated Parmesan, optional

# How to Make:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add whole-wheat pasta and cook for 7 minutes. At the 5-minute mark, add broccoli florets so both finish cooking together. Drain well, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
02 - In the same pot over medium heat, warm olive oil. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes if using. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly.
03 - Lower heat to medium-low. Stir in Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Gradually add reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time, stirring until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
04 - Add shredded rotisserie chicken, cooked pasta, and broccoli to the pot. Gently toss to coat everything evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add another splash of pasta water.
05 - Stir in grated Parmesan and chopped parsley. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
06 - Divide pasta among bowls, sprinkle with extra Parmesan and parsley, and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It sneaks serious protein into a creamy pasta without feeling heavy or virtuous.
  • You use one pot for everything, so cleanup takes about three minutes.
  • The Greek yogurt sauce tastes indulgent but keeps the calorie count honest.
  • Rotisserie chicken means you skip the cutting board and the waiting.
02 -
  • Reserve that pasta water before you drain, it's the secret to a sauce that clings instead of breaking or turning gluey.
  • Add the yogurt off high heat or it will curdle and turn grainy, low and slow is the only way to keep it creamy.
  • Don't skip the lemon zest, the juice alone won't give you that bright, aromatic punch that makes this dish sing.
03 -
  • Taste your rotisserie chicken before adding salt, some brands are heavily seasoned and you might not need any extra.
  • If the sauce breaks or looks grainy, whisk in a tablespoon of pasta water off the heat and it will come back together smoothly.
  • Cook the pasta one minute under the package directions since it will continue cooking slightly when you toss it with the hot sauce.
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