Description
Creamy chicken broccoli alfredo bake delivers comfort straight from your kitchen, blending tender chicken, crisp broccoli, and rich sauce into one satisfying casserole. Weeknight dinner solution guaranteed to make your family ask for seconds without complicated cooking skills.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Starches:
- 8 oz penne or rotini pasta
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 2 cups Alfredo sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F, preparing a warm environment for the delicious casserole you’re about to create.
- Season 1.5 lbs of chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, ensuring each piece has robust flavor.
- Heat a skillet with olive oil over medium temperature and cook chicken breasts for 5-7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
- Remove chicken from skillet and slice into bite-sized chunks that will distribute evenly throughout the dish.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook 8 oz of penne pasta according to package instructions until perfectly al dente.
- Drain pasta completely and transfer to a spacious mixing bowl, preventing any water from diluting the sauce.
- Add 2 cups of fresh broccoli florets to the pasta, creating a nutritious green element in your casserole.
- Incorporate sliced chicken pieces and 2 cups of Alfredo sauce, stirring gently to coat every ingredient thoroughly.
- Transfer the mixture into a greased baking dish, spreading it evenly to ensure consistent cooking.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese across the top, creating a golden, crispy layer.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the cheese melts and the edges turn beautifully golden brown.
Notes
- Swap chicken for tofu or tempeh to make a vegetarian version that still delivers rich, creamy flavor.
- Fresh broccoli works best, but frozen can save time if you thaw and drain it thoroughly before adding to the dish.
- Season chicken generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to enhance the overall taste profile of the casserole.
- Let the baked dish rest for 5-10 minutes after removing from the oven, which helps the sauce set and makes serving easier.
- Prep Time: 20-25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg