Are you on the lookout for a dinner that’s pure comfort in a dish, tastes incredible, and wins over everyone at the table? We understand that quest. Finding a meal that’s simple enough for a hectic weeknight yet feels like a special treat is no easy feat. But we think we’ve found the answer. Allow us to share a recipe that truly delivers: our dependable Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake. It’s a wonderfully warm and cheesy casserole, combining juicy chicken, fresh broccoli, and tender pasta, all enveloped in a luxuriously creamy, homemade Alfredo sauce.

This isn’t just another meal; it’s the culinary equivalent of a warm hug. It’s the ideal remedy for a chilly evening, a demanding day, or whenever you crave something utterly cheesy and delightful. We’ll guide you through each stage, from creating the velvety sauce from scratch to achieving that perfect golden, bubbly finish. Get ready to add this to your collection of trusted easy dinner recipes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• A Complete Meal in One Dish: We’re big fans of recipes that make life easier. This bake conveniently brings together protein, vegetables, and carbs in a single baking dish, which means less time spent at the stove and, crucially, fewer dishes to wash!
• Ultimate Comfort Food: The blend of creamy Alfredo, melted cheese, tender chicken, and pasta is the essence of comfort. It’s a hearty and fulfilling meal that manages to feel both luxurious and nourishing.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: You have the option to put this whole casserole together in advance. Simply cover and pop it in the fridge, then bake it when you’re ready for dinner. It’s a fantastic strategy for getting organised during a busy week.
• Family-Friendly Flavour: The taste profile is rich yet universally appealing, ensuring it’s a surefire winner with both grown-ups and kids. Even the pickiest eaters will struggle to turn down this creamy, cheesy dish.
• Easily Customisable: Consider this recipe a brilliant starting point for your own kitchen experiments. Feel free to switch up the vegetables, throw in extra protein like bacon, or experiment with different cheeses to truly make it yours.

Ingredients

• 400g dried penne pasta (or other short pasta shape)
• 500g boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 large head of broccoli, cut into small florets
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 50g plain flour
• 700ml whole milk
• 200ml double cream
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 100g freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping
• 150g grated mozzarella cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

How to Make the Perfect Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake

Putting together this impressive dish is simpler than it looks. We’ve laid out the method in straightforward, easy-to-follow steps to guarantee a flawless result every time. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Prepare the Pasta and Broccoli

To begin, let’s prepare the main components. Set a large pot of salted water on to boil. Tip in the penne and cook following the packet instructions, but make sure to stop about 2 minutes short of the recommended time. We’re aiming for very “al dente” as it will cook further in the oven. For the last 3 minutes of cooking, pop the broccoli florets into the same pot. This is a clever shortcut to blanch the broccoli perfectly without dirtying another pan. When the time is up, drain the pasta and broccoli together and leave them to one side.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

As the pasta cooks, you can get the chicken ready. Dry the chicken pieces with a paper towel and season them well with salt, pepper, and the dried Italian herbs. Warm the olive oil in a large skillet or frying pan over a medium-high heat. Place the chicken in the pan and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring from time to time, until it’s beautifully browned and cooked all the way through. Take the chicken out of the pan and set it aside for later.

Step 3: Craft the Creamy Alfredo Sauce

Now we move to the star of our broccoli alfredo: the sauce. In the same skillet you used for the chicken (no need to clean it), turn the heat down to medium and add the butter. As soon as it’s melted, stir in the minced garlic and cook for around 30 seconds until aromatic, taking care that it doesn’t burn.

Next, whisk in the plain flour to form a roux, and let it cook for one minute, stirring all the time. This is a vital step for thickening your sauce. Bit by bit, pour in the milk, whisking as you go to keep it smooth and free of lumps. Once all the milk has been added, allow the sauce to simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until it has started to thicken. For more guidance on this technique, you can explore the basics of a classic white sauce, which shares a similar foundation. Finally, mix in the double cream, Dijon mustard, and the 100g of Parmesan. Keep stirring until the cheese has melted into the sauce, leaving it silky and smooth. Season to your preference with salt and pepper.

Step 4: Assembling Your Chicken Alfredo Casserole

It’s time to unite all the elements! Start by preheating your oven to 190°C (170°C Fan / Gas Mark 5). In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta and broccoli, the prepared chicken, and your magnificent Alfredo sauce. Mix everything gently until all the ingredients are generously coated. Transfer this mixture into a large baking dish (around 9×13 inches is ideal) and smooth it into an even layer. This is where your chicken alfredo casserole begins to look the part.

Step 5: Baking to Golden Perfection

Scatter the grated mozzarella and the extra Parmesan evenly across the top. This layer will transform into that delicious, golden-brown, bubbly crust that everyone adores. Put the dish into your preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the sauce is bubbling cheerfully and the cheese topping is melted and has a lovely light-golden hue. For an even crispier finish, you can slide it under the grill for the last 2-3 minutes, but keep a very close eye on it to make sure it doesn’t burn!

Top Tips for the Best Bake

To take your Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake from delicious to truly exceptional, bear these straightforward pointers in mind.

• Use Freshly Grated Cheese: While bagged, pre-shredded cheese is tempting, it often has additives that hinder a smooth melt. Grating your own Parmesan from a block will give you a significantly creamier and more flavourful sauce.
• Don’t Overcook the Pasta: This is a crucial point. The pasta will carry on cooking in the sauce as the dish bakes, so removing it from the boiling water a couple of minutes early is the secret to preventing it from becoming soft or mushy.
• Season Every Layer: Remember to salt your pasta water, properly season the chicken, and check the seasoning of your sauce. Building flavour at each stage of the cooking process contributes massively to the delicious final result.
• Let It Rest: It’s incredibly tempting to serve this straight from the oven, but allowing the bake to stand for 5 to 10 minutes is well worth it. This gives the sauce a chance to settle and thicken slightly, making it much easier to serve.

What to Serve with Your Cheesy Chicken Bake

Although this cheesy chicken bake is a wonderfully complete meal by itself, a couple of simple accompaniments can elevate it further. A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette provides a refreshing balance to the bake’s richness. Naturally, you can’t go wrong with a side of warm, crusty bread or our recipe for The Ultimate Homemade Garlic Bread, perfect for soaking up every last drop of that scrumptious Alfredo sauce. If you’re a fan of satisfying pasta dishes like this one, we’re sure you’ll also love our Creamy Tomato Pasta for another weeknight victory.

FAQ

A New Family Favourite Awaits

And there you have it – our complete guide to crafting a truly magnificent Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake. This recipe strikes the perfect balance between ease and indulgence, making it a superb option for any night of the week. It’s a meal that is sure to fill your home with warmth and your family with smiles, demonstrating that you don’t need to spend all evening in the kitchen to produce something deeply satisfying.

We hope you’ll get creative with it, adapt it to your tastes, and truly enjoy making a meal that is destined to become a household favourite. So, why not give this wonderful recipe a go? We would love for you to share how it went in the comments section below. We always enjoy hearing your feedback!

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Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 45 mins
Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 400g dried penne pasta
• 500g boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 large head of broccoli, cut into small florets
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 50g plain flour
• 700ml whole milk
• 200ml double cream
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 100g freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping
• 150g grated mozzarella cheese
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 190°C (170°C Fan). Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water, ensuring it is 2 minutes under al dente. Add the broccoli florets for the final 3 minutes of cooking time. Drain and set aside.
2. While the pasta cooks, season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove from the skillet.
3. In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Sauté the garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux.
4. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes until thickened. Stir in the double cream, Dijon mustard, and 100g of Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season the sauce with salt and pepper.
5. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta and broccoli, chicken, and Alfredo sauce. Mix well and transfer to a 9×13 inch baking dish.
6. Top with the mozzarella and extra Parmesan cheese. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the top is golden brown. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition (per serving):
Calories: 915,
Carbs: 70 g,
Protein: 56 g,
Fat: 45 g