Baked Chicken and Broccoli Pasta

October 19, 2021 CX3 0 Comments Baked, Broccoli, Chicken, Pasta

By: Mariam E. | October 19, 2021This post may contain affiliate links, read my disclosure policy for details

Easy, creamy, and delicious this Baked Chicken and Broccoli Pasta is packed with flavors that your whole family will love. Made with chicken, broccoli, and cheese, this pasta casserole is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. Made in under an hour in the oven, you’ll love how simple this recipe comes together.

baked chicken and broccoli pasta in a white dish after baking with a spoon inside the dish

If you need something simple to throw together for dinner, then you should try this chicken broccoli pasta bake! It’s hearty, rich, and packed with flavor that your kids will love. While the kids may not be a fan of broccoli, the cheese totally covers it and your kids will gobble it all up, no questions asked.

If you’re looking for other yummy pasta recipes, why not also try my Creamy Chicken Tortellini Pasta or my Simple Pesto Tomato Pasta! They’re also great weeknight meals as they come together so quickly.

Why You’ll Love This Baked Chicken with Broccoli Casserole Recipe

An easy pasta recipe. Made with kitchen staples, this cheese chicken and broccoli pasta casserole goes from pantry to table in under an hour. It’s very convenient to make on weeknights and even as a quick lunch while the kids are home in the weekend.
It’s so flavorful. The creamy cheese sauce for the chicken and pasta is absolutely delicious. There’s so much flavor packed into the sauce that you’re going to want to lick the bowl clean!
The kids love it. There’s nothing better than a cheesy casserole. My kids never say no to cheese.

Oven Baked Chicken and Broccoli Ingredients

ingredients of the baked chicken and broccoli bake

Pasta – pick your kids favorite pasta shape.
Broccoli – cut into florets
Chicken tenders – cut into cubes. You can use a different cut of chicken if you don’t have chicken tenders.
Seasoning – I season the casserole with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Olive oil – or your favorite oil.
Chicken broth – I recommend using low sodium chicken broth.
Half and Half – You can use equal parts of milk and heavy cream to make half and half milk.
Cream cheese – cut into cubes so it melts evenly.
Mozzarella cheese – shredded and divided.
Red chili flakes – as an optional garnish. Skip it if your kids don’t like spice.

How To Make Baked Chicken and Broccoli Pasta

Prepare the baking dish: Preheat the oven to 350 degree F. Grease a 9X13 baking dish with oil and keep it aside.
Cook the pasta: Cook according to the package instructions and add the broccoli florets before 2 minutes and drain the pasta along with the broccoli and keep it aside.

Season and cook the chicken: Season with Italian seasonings, garlic powder, black pepper and salt. Heat a heavy bottom pot on a medium flame with oil, add the chicken pieces and cook for 4-5 minutes.

marinated chicken before and after cooking

Make the sauce: Stir in the chicken broth, heavy cream and cream cheese and cook for 3-5 minutes until the cream cheese melts. Add 1 cup mozzarella cheese and allow it to melt and thicken.

creamy chicken sauce before and after adding cheese

Remove the pot from the heat and fold in the pasta and broccoli, mix it gently until everything comes together.

cooked pasta and broccoli added into the creamy chicken sauce

Transfer and bake: Transfer the pasta to the prepared baking dish, top the pasta with the remaining mozzarella cheese. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes remove the foil and bake for 10 minutes.

chicken and broccoli pasta in a white baking dish before and after adding cheese on top.

Garnish and serve: Once done, garnish the baked chicken pasta with red chili flakes and serve it while it is warm.

close up shot showing the chicken and broccoli pasta bake

Tips and Notes to make the Best Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

You can use any small shaped pasta. You can even use whole wheat or gluten-free pasta if you prefer.
When cooking the pasta, use enough water so once the pasta begins to expand, there will still be plenty of room for the noodles to move freely.
As soon as you drop the pasta in the water, stir it so the pasta doesn’t stick together.
Be sure to use full fat cream cheese and not the spreadable cheese from a tub.
You can check the doneness of the chicken by using a meat thermometer. Stick the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken, if it reads 160 F then it’s ready.

a spoon scooping up some chicken broccoli and pasta bake

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different cheese?

Try any cheese you like such as cheddar, Colby, marble, Monterey Jack, and more. Get some spicy cheese if you’re looking to kick up the heat!

How do I store leftover pasta bake?

Refrigerate leftover baked chicken and broccoli pasta in the sauce in airtight containers for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave until the chicken is warmed through.

Can I add other vegetables to this casserole?

Feel free to add whatever vegetables you have in your fridge. Corn, peas, cauliflower, carrots, and spinach are great additions to the chicken and broccoli pasta.

Can I use a different cut of chicken?

Instead of using chicken tenders, you can use chicken thighs or chicken breasts. As long as you remember to cut the chicken into similar-sized bite-sized pieces, so they cook evenly, you’re good to go!

Do you cook chicken before putting it in a casserole?

Most of the time when you wish to add chicken to a casserole dish, the recipe will call for cooked chicken. So you must cook the chicken first before assembling the casserole ingredients. You can undercook it by a minute or so since it will cook some more in the oven to prevent having dry chicken.

What is a good side dish for chicken casserole?

I love serving chicken casserole with a side or fresh garlic bread or dinner rolls. Check out these two recipes: Roasted Garlic Bread and Hawaiian Dinner Rolls.

Can prep chicken pasta bake ahead of time?

Yes, simply follow the directions up until before baking the dish. Cover the dish with aluminum foil wrap and keep in the fridge 1 day ahead. Remove from the fridge 30 minutes before baking and then bake as directed.

Variations to the Chicken Pasta Casserole

Veggies: Feel free to add your favorite veggies to the dish. Frozen corn, peas, carrots, fresh mushroom all work great. However, I do not recommend adding in squash or zucchini as they get mushy and watery.
Protein: You can use a different cut of chicken, turkey or swap for shrimp for a seafood option.
Cheeses: You can use different cheeses if you like. Some great choices would be sharp cheddar cheese, white cheddar cheese, shredded gouda cheese, Colby jack and pepper jack cheese.

a fork paid on the side of the pasta and broccoli dish on a plate

More Delicious Pasta Recipes

I hope you enjoy all the recipes I share with you, including this delicious Baked Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Casserole recipe. I hope you try it, enjoy it, rate it, and share it with your friends and family!

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