Ultra Lazy Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake Recipe
A quick and easy one-dish meal perfect for busy nights, this Ultra Lazy Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake combines tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and spiral pasta in a rich, creamy sauce topped with melted cheddar cheese. With minimal prep and simple ingredients, it’s a wholesome comfort food that serves 4 to 5 people.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 5 servings
- Category: Mains
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Western
Ingredients
Chicken
- 400g (14 oz) chicken tenderloin, breast, or thigh, cut into 1.5cm (3/5 inch) 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
- 1/4 cup all purpose/plain flour
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth/stock, warmed
- 2 cups milk, warmed (any fat %)
- 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 shredded cheddar, colby, tasty cheese, or pizza cheese mix
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 200°C (390°F), or 180°C fan-forced, to prepare for baking the dish.
- Season Chicken: Sprinkle the chicken pieces generously with salt, pepper, and dried thyme. Toss to ensure all pieces are evenly coated with the seasoning.
- Prepare Pasta and Sauce Base: Spread the uncooked spiral pasta evenly in a 23 x 33 cm (9 x 13 inch) baking dish. Sprinkle the flour across the pasta surface evenly to avoid clumps.
- Add Liquids and Flavor: Pour the warmed chicken broth and milk over the pasta and flour mixture. Add the minced garlic and butter, then stir well to combine all ingredients so the flour begins to dissolve and create a creamy sauce.
- Add Chicken and Broccoli: Distribute the seasoned chicken pieces evenly over the pasta mixture, then spread the broccoli florets on top.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake for 15 minutes if the liquids were warmed, or about 20 minutes if cold, to cook the chicken and soften the pasta and broccoli.
- Stir and Add Cheese: Remove the foil and vigorously stir the mixture to combine the chicken, pasta, and broccoli. Add most of the shredded cheese into the dish and stir well again to distribute the cheese into the sauce.
- Add Final Cheese Layer: Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly on top of the mixture for a golden cheesy crust.
- Bake Uncovered: Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for another 15 to 20 minutes until the top is golden brown and the sauce has thickened.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the pasta bake to stand for a few minutes after removing from the oven, then serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Note 1: Spiral pasta works best to hold the creamy sauce, but other shapes like penne or rigatoni can be used.
- Note 2: Broccoli can be substituted with cauliflower or a mix of both for variation.
- Note 3: Use your preferred hard cheese such as cheddar, colby, or a pizza cheese blend depending on flavor preference.
- Note 4: If the sauce is too thin after baking, you can return it to the oven uncovered longer to thicken, or stir in a small slurry of flour and water before the final bake.
