High Protein Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta (Printable Version)

Juicy rotisserie chicken and fresh broccoli tossed in a creamy Greek yogurt sauce with garlic, lemon, and Parmesan. Ready in 22 minutes.

# What You 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, mixed white and dark meat

→ Sauce

04 - ½ cup low-fat Greek yogurt
05 - ¼ cup low-fat cottage cheese
06 - ¼ 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 - ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

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

# Directions:

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 simultaneously. Drain in colander, reserving ½ 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 sauce is smooth and creamy.
04 - Add shredded rotisserie chicken, cooked pasta, and broccoli to the pot. Gently toss to coat everything evenly. If sauce is too thick, add additional pasta water as needed.
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 delivers 42 grams of protein per serving without any protein powder or complicated prep.
  • The Greek yogurt sauce is silky and rich, yet lighter than traditional cream-based versions.
  • Everything cooks in one pot, so cleanup takes less time than the meal itself.
  • Rotisserie chicken means zero knife work on raw meat, perfect for busy weeknights.
02 -
  • Do not skip reserving the pasta water, its starch is the secret to a sauce that clings instead of slides off.
  • Add the yogurt off high heat or it will curdle and turn grainy instead of creamy.
  • Toss gently so the broccoli florets stay intact and do not break into mush.
03 -
  • Grate your own Parmesan instead of using pre-shredded, it melts smoother and tastes sharper.
  • If the sauce breaks or looks grainy, whisk in a tablespoon of pasta water off the heat to bring it back together.
  • For a golden finish, transfer the pasta to a baking dish, top with extra cheese, and broil for two minutes until bubbly.
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