Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake
Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake
Ingredients
For the Pasta Bake
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 8 ounces long pasta, such as fettuccine or linguine
- 4 cups broccoli florets, fresh or frozen
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Creamy Sauce
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 cups milk, whole or 2%
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375
- 2
Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. During the last 3 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets to the boiling pasta water. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken breast and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
⏱️ 7 min
- 4
In the same skillet (no need to clean), melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Gradually whisk in the milk and chicken broth until smooth. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
⏱️ 1 min
- 7
In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta and broccoli, cooked chicken, and the creamy cheese sauce. Stir gently until everything is well combined.
⏱️ 3 min
- 8
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese and the 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
⏱️ 2 min
- 9
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the top is lightly golden brown.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375
- 10
Let the pasta bake rest for 5 minutes before serving.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake
For the Pasta Bake
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 8 ounces long pasta, such as fettuccine or linguine
- 4 cups broccoli florets, fresh or frozen
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Creamy Sauce
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 cups milk, whole or 2%
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375 - 2
Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. During the last 3 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets to the boiling pasta water. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken breast and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
⏱️ 7 min - 4
In the same skillet (no need to clean), melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Gradually whisk in the milk and chicken broth until smooth. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
⏱️ 1 min - 7
In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta and broccoli, cooked chicken, and the creamy cheese sauce. Stir gently until everything is well combined.
⏱️ 3 min - 8
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese and the 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
⏱️ 2 min - 9
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the top is lightly golden brown.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375 - 10
Let the pasta bake rest for 5 minutes before serving.
⏱️ 5 min