BEST CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI ALFREDO BAKE

Forget wrestling with complicated recipes after a long day! This Chicken And Broccoli Alfredo Bake is pure, unadulterated comfort food, promising a symphony of cheesy, creamy, chicken-y, and broccoli-filled goodness, all baked to bubbly perfection – and ready to rescue any weeknight dinner slump, I promise!

The Dream Team: Ingredients for Your Chicken And Broccoli Alfredo Bake

For the Chicken:

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

For the Broccoli:

• 1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets (about 4 cups)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

For the Alfredo Sauce:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• Pinch of nutmeg (optional, but highly recommended!)

For the Bake:

• 1 lb pasta (penne, rotini, or your favorite shape)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)

Gear Up: Essential Tools for the Job

Before we dive in, let’s make sure you’ve got everything you need. Having the right tools makes this Chicken And Broccoli Alfredo Bake come together so much easier!

• Large pot for boiling pasta
• Large skillet or Dutch oven
• Baking dish (9×13 inch)
• Cutting board and knife
• Mixing bowls
• Cheese grater

Prepping for Success: Key Steps Before You Cook

A little prep work goes a long way! Trust me, taking these steps now will save you time and stress later. Plus, it ensures that everything cooks evenly and tastes amazing.

• Cut the chicken: Dice the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. This helps them cook quickly and evenly.
• Prepare the broccoli: Wash and cut the broccoli into florets. Make sure they’re roughly the same size so they cook at the same rate.
• Grate the cheese: Pre-grate your Parmesan and mozzarella cheese. It melts better when it’s freshly grated.
• Cook the pasta: Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Remember to save about 1 cup of pasta water before draining!

Step-by-Step Instructions: Let’s Make Some Magic

Alright, friend, it’s time to put it all together! Follow these steps, and you’ll have a Chicken And Broccoli Alfredo Bake that’s worthy of a standing ovation.

Step 1: Sauté the Chicken

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add the diced chicken and season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Cook until the chicken is cooked through and lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Step 2: Roast the Broccoli (Optional, but Recommended!)

Roasting the broccoli brings out so much flavor! If you prefer softer broccoli, you can skip this step and steam it instead. If you choose to skip the roasting, just add the broccoli directly to the cooked pasta and chicken after the Alfredo sauce is ready.

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss the broccoli florets with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread the broccoli in a single layer on a baking sheet.
4. Roast for 15-20 minutes, or until tender and slightly browned.

Step 3: Whip Up the Alfredo Sauce

1. In the same skillet you used for the chicken, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
3. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer.
4. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce starts to thicken slightly.
5. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and nutmeg (if using). Continue stirring until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
6. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water to thin it out.

Step 4: Assemble the Bake

1. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cooked chicken, roasted broccoli, and Alfredo sauce. Toss everything together until well coated.
2. Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
3. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese and remaining Parmesan cheese over the top.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
3. Let the bake cool for a few minutes before serving.

Troubleshooting Tips: Because Life Happens in the Kitchen

Even the best cooks encounter little hiccups along the way. Here are a few common issues and how to fix them:

• Sauce is too thick: Add a little more heavy cream or reserved pasta water to thin it out.
• Sauce is too thin: Simmer the sauce for a few more minutes to allow it to thicken. You can also add a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water) to the sauce while simmering.
• Chicken is dry: Make sure you don’t overcook the chicken in the first step. Cooking it in bite-sized pieces helps it cook quickly and stay moist.
• Broccoli is mushy: Avoid overcooking the broccoli, whether you’re roasting or steaming it. It should be tender-crisp.

Variations & Swaps: Make It Your Own!

This Chicken And Broccoli Alfredo Bake is fantastic as is, but don’t be afraid to get creative and add your own personal touch! Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Add veggies: Toss in some sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach for extra nutrients and flavor.
• Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the Alfredo sauce for a little heat.
• Use different cheese: Try using a blend of different cheeses, such as provolone, fontina, or Gruyere.
• Add bacon: Cooked and crumbled bacon adds a smoky, salty flavor that complements the chicken and broccoli perfectly.
• Make it gluten-free: Use gluten-free pasta and ensure all your ingredients are gluten-free.

Serving Suggestions: Complete the Meal

This Chicken And Broccoli Alfredo Bake is a meal in itself, but it’s also delicious served with a side salad or some crusty bread for soaking up all that amazing sauce.

More Delicious Recipes to Explore

If you love comfort food as much as I do, you’ve got to try some of these other amazing recipes! How about Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken for another creamy, dreamy chicken dish? Or maybe Chicken Casserole for a classic, cozy meal? For a fun twist, try the Cheesy Chicken Crescent Bake, or even Marry Me Chicken Pasta. And if you are in the mood for something completely different, how about Chinese Beef And Broccoli? If you want to stick to the alfredo theme, then Coconut Lemon Chicken Alfredo should be right up your alley. Finally, for another broccoli and chicken combination, you might enjoy Broccoli Cheddar Stuffed Chicken!

Storage & Reheating: Making the Most of Leftovers

If you happen to have any leftovers (which is rare!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through.

The Grand Finale: Your Culinary Triumph

You did it! You’ve created a Chicken And Broccoli Alfredo Bake that’s sure to impress. So, gather your loved ones, dig in, and enjoy the fruits (or rather, the cheesy, creamy, chicken-y, broccoli-filled goodness) of your labor!

Best Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Bake

This Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Bake is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for a weeknight dinner. It features tender chicken, flavorful broccoli, and a creamy Alfredo sauce, all baked together with pasta and cheese to bubbly perfection.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Servings: 6

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 650

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tbsp olive oil for chicken
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp salt for chicken
• 1/4 tsp black pepper for chicken
• 1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets about 4 cups
• 2 tbsp olive oil for broccoli
• 1/4 tsp salt for broccoli
• 1/4 tsp black pepper for broccoli
• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese for sauce
• 1/4 tsp salt for sauce
• 1/4 tsp black pepper for sauce
• Pinch of nutmeg optional
• 1 lb pasta penne, rotini, or your favorite shape
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese for topping

Equipment

• large pot
• colander
• large skillet
• 9×13-inch baking dish
• cutting board
• knife
• mixing bowls
• Cheese grater
• Baking sheet (optional)
• Oven

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) if roasting broccoli.
2. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente, reserving 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Add the diced chicken and season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
5. Cook until the chicken is cooked through and lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
6. Toss the broccoli florets with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
7. Spread the broccoli in a single layer on a baking sheet.
8. Roast for 15-20 minutes, or until tender and slightly browned. If skipping roasting, steam the broccoli until tender-crisp.
9. In the same skillet you used for the chicken, melt the butter over medium heat.
10. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
11. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer.
12. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce starts to thicken slightly.
13. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and nutmeg (if using). Continue stirring until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
14. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water to thin it out.
15. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
16. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cooked chicken, roasted/steamed broccoli, and Alfredo sauce. Toss everything together until well coated.
17. Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
18. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese and remaining Parmesan cheese over the top.
19. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
20. Let the bake cool for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

For a richer flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese. To add a bit of heat, include a pinch of red pepper flakes in the Alfredo sauce. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days and reheated in the microwave or oven.