Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake
This easy creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake is perfect for a flavorful, filling weeknight meal. Made with an easy, mouthwatering homemade sauce, flavorful chicken breast, and perfectly cooked broccoli, this baked pasta provides over 10 servings and is perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prep!
Ingredients
- 1 Box of Rigatoni Pasta 16 oz
- 3 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts split in half
- 2 cups Broccoli Florets
- 1 cup Fresh Spinach
- 1 Medium Yellow Onion diced
- 6 Cloves Garlic minced
- 1/4 cup Chicken Broth
- 2.5 cups Heavy Cream
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter divided (2 TBSP each)
- 3 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
- Garlic and Herb Seasoning as desired
- All Purpose Seasoning as desired
- Smoked Paprika as desired
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese shredded
- 1 cup Pepper Jack or Monterey Jack Cheese shredded
- 1 cup Freshly Shredded Parmesan Cheese
- Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F
- Start by seasoning the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic and herb seasoning, all-purpose seasoning, and smoked paprika.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, sear your breast on each side for 2-3 minutes. After the first flip, toss in 2 Tbsp of butter and baste your chicken breasts. Remove and place in 350 °F oven to finish cooking, about 5-7 minutes or until chicken reads 165°F when checked with an instant thermometer. Remove and set aside. Rest the chicken for 5 minutes at least before slicing.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium-low and toss in your onions. Saute for 1-2 minutes, then add your garlic and saute for an additional 60 seconds. Coat with the flour, then mix to combine and cook the flour for another minute or two. Deglaze by mixing in chicken broth and then stir in your heavy cream slowly. Over medium-low heat allow your cream to begin to reduce for 5-7 minutes. Slowly stir in half your cheeses in your cream sauce.
- Boil your pasta until just before Al dente and strain. Steam the broccoli a little until slightly tender. Add in the spinach to the cream sauce along with pasta, and broccoli. Mix well to combine. Chop up half your chicken and add that in as well. Then, add the remaining cheese and stir well to combine.
- Place in a baking dish and add the remaining chicken (sliced) and more cheese on top. Bake in 350°F oven for about 20-25 minutes. Remove once the cheese is melted and bubbly and browned to your liking. Finish with more fresh shredded Parm and fresh chopped parsley for garnish.