High Protein Chicken Broccoli Pasta (Printable)

Juicy rotisserie chicken, bright broccoli, and whole-wheat pasta in a creamy lemon-garlic Greek yogurt sauce. A satisfying, protein-packed meal.

# Components:

→ Pasta & Vegetables

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

→ 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 garnish
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 chopped fresh parsley
14 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese, optional

# Method:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the whole-wheat pasta and cook for 7 minutes. At minute 5, add the broccoli florets so both finish cooking together. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
02 - In the same pot over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes if using; sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly.
03 - Lower the 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 turns a store bought rotisserie chicken into something that tastes like you spent hours on it
  • The whole wheat pasta and Greek yogurt give you 42 grams of protein per serving without feeling like diet food
02 -
  • The Greek yogurt sauce can break if the heat is too high, so keep it at medium low and take your time whisking in the pasta water
  • Reserving that pasta water is the difference between a cohesive creamy dish and a dry disappointing mess
03 -
  • Buy your rotisserie chicken early in the day when they are freshest and still warm
  • The cottage cheese might seem unusual but blend it into the Greek yogurt and nobody will guess it is there
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