Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Pasta (Printable Recipe)
Creamy cheddar, tender chicken, and broccoli baked with pasta for a comforting, cheesy casserole.
# Ingredients You'll Need:
→ Base Ingredients
01 -
225 g elbow macaroni (approximately 2 cups uncooked)
02 -
600 ml whole milk
03 -
360 ml chicken broth
04 -
3 garlic cloves, minced
→ Seasonings
05 -
1 teaspoon kosher salt
06 -
0.75 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
07 -
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
08 -
Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
→ Main Components
09 -
3 cups diced cooked chicken (about 400 g, rotisserie or leftover chicken)
10 -
300 g fresh broccoli florets (cut into bite-sized pieces)
→ Cheese
11 -
170 g white cheddar cheese, freshly grated (about 2.5 cups)
12 -
Grated parmesan cheese for topping (as desired)
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
Preheat oven to 200°C. Allow sufficient time for the oven to reach temperature while assembling ingredients.
02 -
In a 23 x 33 cm casserole dish, combine uncooked elbow macaroni, whole milk, chicken broth, minced garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir thoroughly to evenly mix and prevent macaroni clumping.
03 -
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. During this time, pasta begins to absorb liquid and soften.
04 -
Remove from oven and carefully uncover, watching for steam. Stir pasta mixture to ensure even distribution. Add diced cooked chicken, broccoli florets, and approximately 140 g (about 2 cups) of the grated cheddar, reserving 30 g for topping. Mix until chicken and broccoli are evenly coated and cheese begins to melt.
05 -
Sprinkle remaining cheddar evenly over the surface. Bake uncovered for an additional 20 minutes, until cheese is golden and bubbling and broccoli is just tender.
06 -
Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Top portions with grated parmesan and an extra grind of black pepper if desired.
# Extra Tips:
01 -
Pasta cooks directly in the casserole, releasing starch to thicken the sauce naturally.
02 -
Rotisserie chicken offers excellent flavor and convenience, but any cooked chicken may be used.
03 -
Leftovers may be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated until piping hot.