Description
Chicken and broccoli pasta bake delivers comfort right from your kitchen, bringing together creamy cheese, tender chicken, and crisp broccoli in one satisfying family meal. Packed with flavor and easy to prepare, this dish turns weeknight dinner into a delightful gathering your loved ones will savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 14 ounces chicken tenderloin
- 2 cups milk
Produce:
- 1 large broccoli
- 1 large clove garlic
Pantry and Seasonings:
- 8 ounces spiral pasta
- 1.5 cups chicken broth
- 1 to 1.5 cups shredded cheese
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 to 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 390°F for regular ovens or 350°F for convection ovens.
- Season 14 ounces of chicken tenderloin pieces with 1 teaspoon dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Toss thoroughly to coat evenly.
- Spread 8 ounces of uncooked spiral pasta across a baking dish. Dust the pasta with ¼ cup of all-purpose flour completely.
- Pour 1 ½ cups warm chicken broth and 2 cups warm milk over the pasta. Add 1 minced garlic clove and 1-2 tablespoons butter. Mix ingredients carefully.
- Layer seasoned chicken pieces across the pasta. Distribute 1 large broccoli’s worth of florets evenly on top.
- Cover the baking dish with foil. Bake at 390°F (or 350°F for convection) for 15-20 minutes.
- Remove foil and stir thoroughly. Sprinkle 1 to 1.5 cups of shredded cheese over the dish. Mix to distribute cheese evenly.
- Return uncovered dish to oven. Bake for additional 15-20 minutes until top turns golden and sauce thickens.
- Allow dish to rest for 3-4 minutes. Serve immediately while hot and cheese is melted.
Notes
- Chicken can be swapped with turkey or plant-based protein for different dietary needs.
- Gluten-free flour works perfectly as a replacement for standard flour in this recipe.
- Always ensure your chicken is fully cooked by checking internal temperature reaches 165°F before serving.
- When stirring the pasta midway, break up any clumpy sections to help the sauce distribute evenly and prevent dry patches.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 to 40 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 395 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg