Looking for a dinner that’s both comforting and easy to make? This chicken pasta broccoli bake is the perfect solution. It’s a family-friendly dish that’s endlessly adaptable to whatever you have on hand and whatever your family loves.
The stars of this dish are, of course, chicken, broccoli, and pasta, all swimming in a creamy, cheesy sauce. What’s not to love?
This article will be your guide to creating the ultimate chicken pasta broccoli bake. We’ll cover a range of recipes, give you helpful tips, and explore delicious variations to make it your own.
Core ingredients for the perfect chicken broccoli pasta bake
This dish is flexible, so you can adapt it to what you have on hand. However, here are the ingredients I think are the most important.
Chicken selection
You can use:
- Chicken breasts: These are a good source of lean protein. If you use these, slice them in half before cooking, so they cook evenly.
- Chicken thighs: These have more flavor and stay juicy.
- Rotisserie chicken: This is a great shortcut if you don’t have time to cook chicken.
No matter what kind of chicken you use, be sure to cook it to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Pasta choices
The best pasta shapes for a bake are:
- Rigatoni
- Penne
- Ziti
- Rotini
Short pasta with ridges will soak up all the delicious sauce. You can use regular or whole wheat pasta, depending on what you prefer.
Broccoli and other vegetables
Fresh broccoli florets are my favorite in this dish, but you can add other veggies, too. Try adding peas, chopped carrots, cauliflower, corn, spinach, or asparagus.
Creating the creamy sauce: From scratch vs. store-bought
The sauce is what really brings this dish together, so let’s look at a couple of different ways to approach it.
Homemade cream sauce
You can create a roux-based cream sauce by melting butter in a saucepan, whisking in flour, and then gradually adding milk or cream. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. If you’re feeling fancy, add some fresh herbs!
Making the sauce from scratch allows you to control the ingredients and customize the flavor to your liking. Plus, there’s something really satisfying about making a dish from whole ingredients.
Store-bought Alfredo sauce
If you’re short on time, using a store-bought Alfredo sauce is a great option. To enhance the flavor, try adding some extra garlic, herbs, or cheese.
Dairy-free sauce alternatives
If you have dairy sensitivities, you can still enjoy this dish! Canned coconut milk can be used as a creamy base, and nutritional yeast can add a cheesy flavor.
How to make chicken broccoli pasta bake
- First, preheat your oven (usually to 350°F/175°C, but check your recipe!).
- Cook your pasta according to the directions on the box. Cook it slightly less than al dente, since it will keep cooking in the oven.
- Prepare your chicken and broccoli. I like to cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and sauté it with garlic and seasonings until it’s cooked all the way through. Then, I add the broccoli and cook until it’s tender-crisp. You don’t want it to be mushy!
- Now, it’s time to put everything together. In a big bowl, mix the pasta, chicken, broccoli, and cream sauce. Then, add your cheese and stir.
- Pour the mixture into a baking dish. Make sure it’s greased, or you can use cooking spray. Add more cheese on top.
- Bake until it’s bubbly and golden brown. This usually takes 20-30 minutes, but you should check it regularly.
- Let it rest for a few minutes before you serve it. This helps the sauce thicken up a bit.
Recipe variations and customizations
One of the best things about a casserole like this is that you can tweak it to your liking. Here are a few ideas:
Vegetarian adaptation
To make this a vegetarian casserole, simply leave out the chicken and replace it with a plant-based protein. Cubes of tofu or tempeh would work well, as would sliced or quartered mushrooms. You might also want to toss in some extra veggies to make it a heartier dish.
Spice and herb enhancements
Don’t be afraid to customize the spice profile of this casserole to suit your own tastes! A dash of dried oregano, basil, or thyme would be delicious. If you like a little heat, try adding some red pepper flakes.
Topping options
The buttery breadcrumb topping adds a nice textural element, but you can certainly experiment with other toppings. Crushed Ritz crackers or a generous grating of parmesan cheese would also be tasty.
Cheese variations
I used a blend of cheddar and mozzarella in this recipe, but feel free to mix and match your cheeses. Monterey Jack or pepper jack would add a bit of a kick!
Serving, storing, and reheating
This bake is a hearty one-dish meal, but you may want to add a side or two to round out the meal.
Serving suggestions
A simple side salad, some garlic bread, or steamed veggies would be a lovely accompaniment to this chicken, pasta, and broccoli bake.
Storage instructions
Allow the pasta bake to cool completely before you store it. Leftovers will keep for 3 or 4 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
Reheating methods
You can reheat single servings in the microwave until they’re warmed through.
To reheat a larger amount, preheat the oven to a low temperature and bake until it’s heated through.
You can also freeze the baked pasta dish for up to two months. Thaw it completely before you reheat it.
Putting It All Together
This Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake is a simple yet delicious meal, perfect for a weeknight dinner. Remember to cook the pasta, prepare the sauce, combine everything, and bake until golden brown. Feel free to swap out ingredients to match your tastes.
Why not give it a try and create your own version of this satisfying bake?