Chicken And Broccoli Pasta Bake

One of the best meal prep routines is to make easy one pot oven bakes, and this hearty chicken and broccoli pasta bake will make you even more excited for lunchtime!

This recipe is a cozy weekday ride or die, it’s comforting, full of flavor, and actually pretty healthy for you! Think creamy, cheesy vibes with simple and clean ingredients. 

Plus, it reheats like a dream and is a perfect meal prep recipe for those who want something delicious and high quality without all the fuss.

Simple Steps:

First, you want to cook your pasta until al dente and add in your broccoli in the same pot for 3-4 minutes. Then fork off your rotisserie chicken to make 2-2 1/2 cups of shredded chicken. Set them aside.

Create the cheese-y, creamy base.

Add the creamy base and the chicken, broccoli, and pasta into an oven dish. Top with cheese and breadcrumbs and then cook for 20-25 minutes until the edges are golden brown.

I love to make a big batch on Sunday, portion it into my meal prep containers, and live my best organized life all week. (Corporate girlies who meal prep, I see you.)

FAQ 🧀💛🍽️

I usually pair this with:

• Brown rice for a balanced meal
• A side salad or roasted veggies if I’m keeping things light
• Or sometimes just a big fork and a comfy blanket — no judgment here!

Storage (applies in most cases):

• Fridge: Keeps up to 4 days in airtight containers.
• Freezer: Freeze up to 2 months. Reheat in the microwave or oven until hot.

Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?
Yes! Frozen broccoli works perfectly — just thaw it first and pat it dry with paper towels so your bake doesn’t get watery. I do this all the time when I don’t feel like chopping fresh broccoli.

What’s the best chicken to use?
Rotisserie chicken is my go-to (hello, lazy girl dinner hack). But you can use any cooked chicken like grilled, baked, or even leftover shredded chicken from another meal.

Can I make this chicken broccoli bake ahead of time?
Totally! You can assemble the casserole, cover it, and refrigerate it up to a day before baking. When you’re ready, just pop it in the oven and bake as usual. It’s a great make-ahead meal for busy weeks.

Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings 5

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

This healthy chicken broccoli bake is stuffed with savory chicken, creamy cheeses, and yummy broccoli making this a perfect meal for the winter time! 🐓🧀🥦

Equipment

• 1 Large pot
• 1 Strainer

Ingredients

• 8 oz Penne pasta uncooked
• 3 cups Broccoli
• 2 cups Chicken meat shredded or chopped cooked
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Butter
• 1 Yellow or white onion diced large
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 cups chicken broth
• ½ cup Heavy cream
• ½ cup Milk
• ¼ cup All-purpose flour
• 1 cup Cheddar cheese shredded
• 1 cup Monterey jack shredded
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
• ¼ teaspoon Salt
• ½ teaspoon Ground pepper freshly ground
• ½ cup Breadcrumbs

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Bring 4 quarts of water to boil in a large pot. Sprinkle in a few pinches of salt.
• Add 10 oz of pasta and cook according to package instructions. Add broccoli florets a few minutes before the end of pasta cooking time.
• Drain pasta and broccoli, then transfer back to the now empty pot and set aside.
• Place butter and olive oil to a large skillet. Add diced onion and cook stirring often, until softened. Then add minced garlic and cook another minute.
• Now stir in the flour and cook, stirring for about 2 minutes. Then pour in 1 cup of chicken broth.
• Cook on low heat whisking with a metal whisk until the sauce is mostly smooth and thickened. Then add the additional cup of broth, ½ cup of milk and ½ cup of heavy cream.
• Cook, whisking often until bubbly. Now turn off the heat and stir in cheddar cheese, monterey jack cheese (or mozzarella) and parmesan. Stir until all the cheese is melted.
• Add cooked chicken together with cooked and reserved pasta and broccoli. Season with more salt and pepper, if needed.
• Stir with a spatula until the sauce coats all the pasta, then transfer to a casserole dish.
• Sprinkle with more monterey jack or mozzarella cheese and bread crumbs.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until you see some golden edges on top.

This healthy chicken broccoli bake is my definition of a win: easy to make, loaded with protein, full of veggies, and just the right amount of cheesy!! 🧀 It’s one of those recipes that feels indulgent but fits perfectly into a clean, balanced routine. Let me know what you think!