Description
This Irresistible Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Bake combines tender sautéed chicken, fresh broccoli, and perfectly cooked pasta smothered in a creamy Parmesan Alfredo sauce. Baked until bubbly and golden, it’s a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken
- 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
Broccoli
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
Pasta
- 8 oz farfalle or penne pasta
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Sauté chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into cubes, season with salt and pepper, then sauté them in a skillet over medium heat with olive oil until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
- Add vegetables: Add the minced garlic and fresh broccoli florets to the skillet with the chicken. Sauté together for 3-4 minutes until the broccoli is bright green and slightly tender.
- Cook pasta: Boil the pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving some of the pasta water in case you need to loosen the sauce later.
- Prepare sauce: In a saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth. Mix in Italian seasoning and adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine and bake: In the greased baking dish, combine the cooked pasta, sautéed chicken and broccoli, and creamy Alfredo sauce. Stir everything gently until well coated. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until the casserole is bubbly and the top is slightly golden.
Notes
- You can substitute broccoli with other vegetables like spinach or asparagus if preferred.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, but the sauce may be less rich.
- Reserve some pasta water to thin out the sauce if it becomes too thick before baking.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese gives the best flavor compared to pre-grated options.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated covered in the oven or microwave.
