Description
A comforting and easy-to-make Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake combining tender chicken, nutritious broccoli, creamy mushroom soup, and a blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheese, all baked to golden perfection. Perfect for a hearty family dinner in under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 3-4 pieces boneless chicken breasts (1 lb total)
Vegetables
- 2 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
Pasta
- 8 oz penne or fusilli pasta (uncooked)
Dairy
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
Other
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Prep: Prepare all ingredients by measuring and gathering them. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper evenly on both sides.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions.
- Cook Chicken: While pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chicken breasts and cook until golden brown on both sides and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side depending on thickness. Remove from heat and let cool slightly, then dice into bite-sized pieces.
- Cook Broccoli: Add broccoli florets to the pasta water during the last 2 minutes of pasta cooking time to blanch them until tender-crisp. Drain pasta and broccoli together and set aside.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, broccoli, diced chicken, cream of mushroom soup, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and half of the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Mix everything thoroughly to combine.
- Assemble Bake: Grease a baking dish lightly with oil or cooking spray. Transfer the pasta mixture into the baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top.
- Serve: Remove from oven and let stand for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your comforting chicken broccoli pasta bake warm.
Notes
- You can substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken soup or a béchamel sauce for a different flavor.
- If using frozen broccoli, ensure it is thawed and drained to prevent excess moisture in the bake.
- For extra flavor, add herbs like thyme or Italian seasoning in the mix.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 2-3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
