Description

This Ultra Lazy Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake is a simple, comforting one-dish meal perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken pieces and fresh broccoli florets are baked together with spiral pasta in a creamy, cheesy sauce that’s easy to prepare with minimal fuss. The dish combines wholesome ingredients with a rich, flavorful sauce made from milk, chicken broth, and cheddar cheese for a satisfying family-friendly dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

400g / 14 oz chicken tenderloin (breast or thigh, cut into 1.5cm / 3/5″ 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 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 & Cheese

1 large broccoli, broken into small to medium florets (or 2 medium broccoli or cauliflower florets)
1 1/2 cups tightly packed shredded cheddar or colby cheese (or tasty cheese, pizza mix, etc.)

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C/390°F (or 180°C fan-forced). This ensures it’s hot enough to cook the pasta and chicken thoroughly while melting the cheese beautifully.
Season Chicken: Sprinkle the chicken pieces generously with salt, pepper, and dried thyme. Toss to coat the pieces evenly with the seasoning for maximum flavor.
Prepare Pasta Base: Spread the uncooked spiral pasta evenly in a 23 x 33cm (9 x 13″) baking dish. Sprinkle the flour evenly across the pasta surface in small amounts, avoiding clumps to ensure it dissolves properly when liquid is added.
Add Liquid and Seasoning: Pour warmed milk and chicken broth over the pasta and flour. Add minced garlic and optional butter to the baking dish. Stir gently to distribute everything evenly.
Add Chicken and Broccoli: Spread the seasoned chicken pieces evenly over the pasta and liquid mixture. Follow by adding the broccoli florets on top, distributing them well.
Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes if liquids are warm, or 20 minutes if liquids are cold. This cooks the pasta, chicken, and broccoli together.
Stir and Add Cheese: Remove the foil carefully. Stir the mixture thoroughly to combine the ingredients well. Add most of the shredded cheese and stir again to incorporate it into the sauce and pasta. Then, sprinkle the remaining cheese on top for a cheesy crust.
Bake Uncovered: Return the dish to the oven uncovered. Bake for another 15-20 minutes until the cheese topping becomes golden and bubbly, and the sauce thickens nicely.
Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the pasta bake stand for a few minutes to set. Serve immediately for best taste and texture.

Notes

Note 1: You can substitute spiral pasta with other short pasta shapes like penne, fusilli, or rigatoni that hold sauce well.
Note 2: Cauliflower can replace broccoli if preferred, or combine both for variety.
Note 3: Use a cheese blend like tasty cheese or pizza mix if cheddar or colby is unavailable.
Note 4: If sauce is too thin after baking, return to oven for additional baking time or stir well off heat to thicken; if too thick, add a splash of milk or broth before reheating.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Western

Keywords: Chicken pasta bake, creamy chicken broccoli pasta, easy pasta bake, cheesy chicken casserole, weeknight dinner, one dish meal