Ultra Lazy Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake Recipe
This Ultra Lazy Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake is a quick, comforting, and satisfying one-dish meal perfect for busy weeknights. Featuring tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and a rich, creamy cheese sauce baked to golden perfection, this recipe is both easy to prepare and deliciously hearty. With minimal prep and straightforward steps, it delivers a creamy, cheesy baked pasta dish that the whole family will love.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 400g / 14 oz chicken tenderloin (breast or thigh, cut into 1.5cm / 3/5″ pieces)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1 tsp dried thyme (or other herbs/spices of choice)
Pasta and Sauce
- 250g / 8 oz spiral pasta, uncooked (or other pasta shape as per Note 1)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth/stock, warmed
- 2 cups milk (any fat %, warmed)
- 1 large garlic clove, minced
- 2 tbsp / 30g unsalted butter (optional but recommended)
Vegetables and Cheese
- 1 large broccoli (or 2 medium broccoli or cauliflower heads, broken into small to medium florets)
- 1 1/2 cups tightly packed shredded cheddar or colby cheese (or tasty cheese, pizza mix, etc.)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C/390°F (or 180°C fan-forced) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking the pasta dish.
- Prepare Chicken: Season the chicken pieces generously with salt, pepper, and dried thyme. Toss well to coat all pieces evenly with the herbs and seasoning for maximum flavor.
- Mix Pasta and Sauce: Spread the uncooked spiral pasta evenly in a 23 x 33cm (9 x 13″) baking dish. Sprinkle the flour evenly over the pasta surface, avoiding clumps for smooth sauce thickening. Pour warmed milk and chicken broth over it, add minced garlic and unsalted butter, then stir to combine everything well.
- Add Chicken and Broccoli: Arrange the seasoned chicken pieces evenly over the pasta mixture, then top with the broccoli florets spread across the dish.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. If your milk and broth are cold, extend the bake time to 20 minutes to ensure thorough cooking.
- Stir and Add Cheese: Carefully remove the foil and stir the mixture very well. Add most of the shredded cheese into the mix, stir thoroughly again to distribute the cheese evenly, and then sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
- Bake to Finish: Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake for another 15–20 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the sauce has thickened nicely.
- Rest and Serve: Let the pasta bake stand for a few minutes after removing from the oven to allow the sauce to set, then serve immediately for the best creamy texture and flavor.
Notes
- Note 1: Other pasta shapes like penne, fusilli, or rigatoni work well if you prefer different textures or shapes.
- Note 2: Cauliflower can be used instead of broccoli, or a mix of both, according to preference.
- Note 3: Feel free to substitute the cheddar or colby cheese with tasty cheese blends or pizza cheese mixes for different flavor profiles.
- Note 4: If the sauce seems too thin after baking, you can bake uncovered a little longer to let it thicken, or stir again and bake briefly to achieve the desired consistency.
Keywords: Chicken pasta bake, creamy pasta bake, broccoli pasta bake, easy chicken dinner, baked pasta, comfort food
