This Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake is a comforting and hearty dish that combines tender, juicy chicken, broccoli florets, and pasta, all baked in a creamy, cheesy sauce. Cooked in one pan, this is the perfect meal for busy weeknights that the whole family will love!
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Cook Time25 minutesmins
Total Time35 minutesmins
Course: Nut Free
Servings: 8
Author: Every Last Bite
Ingredients
2large chicken breastswill equal 2 cups when chopped
1tbspbutter
½tsppaprika
½tspgarlic powder
½tsponion powder
½tsporegano
¼tspsalt
¼tsppepper
9ozpenne
2cupsbroccoli florets - make sure you cut them into very small size
3tbspbutter
4clovesgarlicminced
2tbspflour
1 ½cupswhole milk
1 ½cupscream
½tspsalt
½tsppepper
1 ½cupsgrated parmesan
1 ½cupsgrated mozzarella
Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish
Cut the chicken lengthwise into two pieces. In a small bowl stir together the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt and pepper. Place the chicken on a plate and generously season them all over in the seasoning so they are well coated.
Add the butter to a nonstick skillet on medium heat. Add in the chicken and cook for approximately 5 to 6 minutes until golden brown in color and then flip and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. Set the chicken aside on a plate.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add in the pasta and cook according to package directions. 3 minutes before done, add in the broccoli florets and continue to cook until the pasta is al dente.
Pour the pasta and broccoli into a colander.
To the pot add the butter and increase the heat to medium high. Once the butter has melted add in the garlic leave to cook for 1 minute and then whisk in the flour. Pour in the milk and cream, salt and pepper and whisk for 1-2 minutes until flour has whisked through the liquid and the sauce has begun to thicken. Add in 1 cup of parmesan and 1 cup of mozzarella and stir until the cheese has melted into the sauce.
Slice the chicken into pieces and then cut each piece into 1-2 smaller pieces depending on the size of the chicken. You want them all to be in small bite sized pieces.
In a large bowl add the broccoli and pasta plus the diced chicken. Pour the sauce overtop and stir until well combined. Pour the mixture into the baking dish and sprinkle the remaining cheese overtop. Transfer to the oven to bake for approximately 15 minutes until the pasta is bubbly and the dish is golden brown on top. Remove from the oven and garnish with chopped parsley.