Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake (Printable Version)
Tender chicken, steamed broccoli and pasta baked in a silky Alfredo sauce with melted mozzarella and Parmesan.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Protein & Vegetables
01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
02 - 3 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped
→ Pasta
03 - 12 ounces penne or rotini pasta
→ Alfredo Sauce
04 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 cups heavy cream
07 - 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
10 - Pinch of ground nutmeg (optional)
→ Topping
11 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
12 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Garnish
13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until just al dente, about 1-2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain well and set aside.
03 - Steam or blanch broccoli florets for 2-3 minutes until bright green and slightly tender, then drain and set aside.
04 - In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Whisk in 1 cup Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and thickened. Season with salt, black pepper, and optional nutmeg.
05 - In a large mixing bowl, toss together cooked pasta, diced chicken breast, broccoli, and prepared Alfredo sauce until all components are thoroughly coated.
06 - Distribute the mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan over the top.
07 - Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes or until the casserole is bubbling and golden brown on top.
08 - Allow to stand for 5 minutes before serving. Finish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
# Top Tips:
01 -
- This is a creamy, crowd-pleasing bake that lets you sneak more veggies onto the table without a fuss.
- It’s the ultimate way to use up leftover chicken and transform it into a meal everyone is excited about.
02 -
- Trying to skip pre-cooking the broccoli led to soggy, bland vegetables—give them that quick blanch for best flavor and color.
- I learned that mixing the Alfredo sauce with hot pasta and chicken helps coat every strand and piece evenly, preventing a dry bake.
03 -
- Letting the sauce thicken properly before mixing keeps the bake creamy without turning soupy.
- Cutting broccoli into smaller pieces makes sure every forkful gets a satisfying bite of everything.