Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the Pasta & Broccoli:
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Optional Creamy Sauce (highly recommended!):
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 cup milk or half-and-half
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Prep the chicken: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). In a small bowl, mix ½ cup Parmesan, 1 tbsp olive oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper into a paste. Pat chicken breasts dry and spread the mixture evenly over the top of each piece.
- Bake the chicken: Place chicken breasts on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden and cooked through (internal temp should reach 165°F). For a crispier crust, broil for the last 2–3 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Roast the broccoli: On a separate baking sheet, toss the broccoli with 1 tbsp olive oil, 2 cloves minced garlic, ½ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp black pepper. Roast in the oven (at the same time as the chicken if space allows) for 20–25 minutes, until tender and slightly crispy.
- Cook the pasta: Meanwhile, boil the penne pasta according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Make the creamy Parmesan sauce (optional): In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, then slowly whisk in milk. Simmer until slightly thickened, then stir in ¼ cup Parmesan and season with salt and pepper.
- Combine pasta and broccoli: In a large bowl, toss the drained pasta with the roasted broccoli and remaining ½ cup Parmesan. Add the creamy sauce if using, or a splash of reserved pasta water to moisten. Toss until evenly coated.
- Assemble and serve: Plate the pasta and broccoli, then top with sliced Parmesan-crusted chicken. Garnish with extra cheese or fresh herbs if desired.
Nutritional Information:
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 50 minutes
Calories per serving: Approx. 600–650 | Serves: 4
