This chicken and broccoli pasta bake has juicy chicken strips, tender broccoli, and pasta mixed in a rich, cheesy, and creamy sauce. It's topped with a layer of melted cheese, and every bite explodes with flavor. It's seriously addictive, and you'll love how easy it is to make!
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The Best Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake
This recipe is the most incredible broccoli chicken pasta bake you'll ever make. It's quick and easy to put together and comes out tasting like something you'd get at a restaurant!
This chicken and broccoli pasta casserole has perfectly cooked pasta mixed with tender broccoli and juicy chicken. Everything gets tossed in a decadent cream sauce and layered in a casserole dish with ooey-gooey melted cheese on top. Gah, it's so good I could eat it every night for dinner!
This broccoli pasta bake chicken recipe is ideal to make when you're looking to feed a large crowd since it's so hearty and satisfying. Everyone who tries this recipe is guaranteed to love it, so you know you'll have a dinner that'll impress.
This chicken pasta bake with broccoli is honestly so good alone, but you can serve it alongside this garlic bread to soak up that delicious sauce and make for an unforgettable meal!
Why This Recipe Works
Easy to make. This cheesy chicken broccoli pasta bake should only take you about 10 minutes to prepare, and the oven does the heavy lifting from there.
An instant family favorite. This broccoli pasta bake is one of my family's all-time favorite pasta recipes. It's just so delicious and even keeps the picky eaters coming back for seconds!
The sauce. This garlic cream sauce is so easy to make, yet it's loaded with flavor. Trust me, after one bite, you'll be looking for excuses to make the sauce every night of the week!
Ingredients
Another reason to love this chicken broccoli pasta casserole is that it's made with really simple ingredients, some of which you probably have in your kitchen already.
Check out everything you'll need to make chicken and broccoli pasta bake:
- 8 oz. fusilli pasta
- 3 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 1 ½ cup chicken stock
- 1 lb. chicken breast cut into strips
- 3 tbsps. olive oil
- ¼ cup flour
- 2 cups milk
- Salt and black pepper
- ½ cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 6 oz. cream cheese
- 1 cloves garlic
By the way, you can use a lot of these ingredients to make this chicken broccoli alfredo, so consider giving that recipe a try next!
How To Make Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake
1. Cook the pasta and broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook it to al dente according to the package instructions. Add the broccoli florets to the pot for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking.
2. Cook the chicken: Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5 minutes, flipping halfway through, until it's fully cooked. Then transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and cover it with foil.
3. Prep work: While the sauce is simmering, preheat the oven to 380°F (190°C) and spray a 9x13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
4. Make the sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining olive oil along with the flour, and cook and stir for 2-3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring for 30 seconds. Then, whisk in the milk and chicken stock and continue cooking while stirring frequently. Add the cream cheese to the sauce and stir until it's completely melted, then turn off the heat.
5. Assemble the casserole: Transfer the cooked chicken, pasta, and broccoli to the prepared baking dish and stir it with the cream cheese sauce. Top the casserole with the shredded cheddar cheese.
6. Bake and serve: Bake the casserole for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese has fully melted. Let the pasta bake cool briefly before serving. Enjoy!
Tips To Make The Best Recipe
- Use softened cream cheese, so it mixes in the sauce easier. You can also microwave the cream cheese for 20 seconds to soften it up.
- Switch up the shredded cheese. Use shredded mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, or even pepper jack cheese for a spicy kick.
- Experiment with different types of pasta, like whole wheat pasta, spaghetti noodles, or even gluten free pasta for a gluten free pasta bake.
- Add ingredients to the sauce, like garlic powder, red pepper flakes, or smoked paprika, to add even more flavor.
- Use shredded rotisserie chicken or any leftover chicken to cut down on the cooking time.
- Swap fresh broccoli for thawed frozen broccoli. Just remember to pat dry the broccoli with paper towels before adding it to the baking dish.
How To Store Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake
In the fridge: Store leftover chicken broccoli pasta bake in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days.
In the freezer: Allow the leftovers to cool completely, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Add the leftover chicken pasta bake to a skillet set over medium heat. Add a dash of milk or chicken broth and let the pasta cook while frequently stirring until it's fully reheated. Thaw the frozen pasta in the fridge overnight before reheating.
FAQS About This Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake Recipe
Can I make chicken and broccoli pasta bake in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the dish up until it's ready to be put in the oven. Just put a lid on the casserole dish or cover it tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for a few days or until you're ready to serve. Then top the chicken broccoli pasta bake with the shredded cheese, and bake till the cheese melts.
Can I use frozen broccoli for this chicken broccoli pasta bake recipe?
Yes, frozen broccoli will work great if that's what you have on hand. Just boil the broccoli for a minute or so in the pasta water until it thaws.
What to eat with chicken and broccoli bake?
This chicken and broccoli pasta bake is so good served with a house salad, Bisquick cheddar bay biscuits, or some twice baked mashed potatoes for the ultimate comfort food meal.
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- Baked tortellini casserole
- Cream cheese chicken
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- Old fashioned chicken and noodles
Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake (Creamy and Cheesy)
This chicken and broccoli pasta bake has juicy chicken strips, tender broccoli, and pasta mixed in a rich, cheesy, and creamy sauce. It's topped with a layer of melted cheese, and every bite explodes with flavor. It's seriously addictive, and you'll love how easy it is to make!
Ingredients
- 8 oz. fusilli pasta
- 3 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 1 ½ cup chicken stock
- 1 lb. chicken breast cut into strips
- 3 tbsps. olive oil
- ¼ cup flour
- 2 cups milk
- Salt and black pepper
- ½ cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 6 oz. cream cheese
- 1 cloves garlic
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of pasta to a boil, salt it generously, and cook the pasta al dente according to the instructions on the package. Add the broccoli florets for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking.
- Preheat the oven to 380°F. Spray a 9x13-inch casserole dish with the cooking spray.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large deep pan and add the chicken. Cook for 5 minutes, flipping, over medium heat until the chicken is cooked through. Cover with the foil and set aside.
- Add remaining olive oil and flour, and stir for 2-3 minutes. Add minced garlic and stir for 30 seconds. Whisk in milk and chicken stock and continue to cook, stirring often. Add cream cheese to the sauce and stir until completely melted. Turn off the heat.
- Transfer the chicken, cooked pasta, and broccoli to the prepared casserole dish and stir with the cream cheese sauce. Sprinkle with the cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
- Allow the pasta dish to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1 cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 388Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 31g
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