Experienced cooks will raise their eyebrows when they see how this HEALTHY Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake is made. But don’t judge until you try it – it works!!! Made from scratch, not a drop of cream, this is a complete meal that takes 5 minutes to prep, made in ONE baking dish and it’s absolutely delish. {350 cal per serving!}
The World’s EASIEST Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake!
This is comfort food for busy people, dedicated to all those back home in Australia and everyone else around the world suffering through a blustery cold winter!
The method I use for this Ultra Lazy Healthy Chicken Pasta Bake certainly is unorthodox. Just plonk flour, uncooked pasta, raw chicken, vegetables, milk and chicken broth into the baking dish, give it a quick stir, then pop it into the oven. Pull it out partway through cooking, stir through cheese, then finish baking.
And what comes out is quite extraordinary. When you crack through that golden topping, you will be greeted with perfectly cooked pasta smothered in a creamy sauce that you’ve just made without a single drop of cream, without having to make a roux on the stove the traditional way béchamel and cheese sauces are made.
Not a hint of flouriness (thanks to the gluten in the pasta which also helps thicken the sauce) and the pasta is perfectly cooked – I blame my Japanese mother for raising me as a total snob about overcooked rice and this snobbery extends to pasta. There is actually sauce (hands up if you’ve suffered through dry pasta bakes!), and it’s a complete meal that’s light on the pasta, and heavy on broccoli + lean chicken.
I’m going to be completely honest with you about the difference between this and the traditional way of making creamy pasta bakes. My “go to” way is to start with a roux – like in this Seafood Gratin Pasta Bake, my Baked Mac and Cheese and my mother’s Chicken and Mushroom Macaroni Gratin ( <<— Childhood favourite, right here!). The sauce is silken and there’s more of it compared to this Ultra Lazy way.
If you look very closely, you will see that the sauce is a tiny bit split on the base of the baking dish. But you need to look really close to see it and it doesn’t taste split.
Very, very small compromise for a quick meal, in my humble view. 🙂
(Here’s a close up – you can see what I am describing in the bottom left corner)
I didn’t create this Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake as a hack. It came about because of the homeless man at the local dog park who I regularly take hot meals to. He always insists that I mustn’t go out of my way to bring him meals, and that in itself plus me being me just feels some sort of obligation to ensure I take meals to him regularly.
I had skipped a few days and I was standing in my kitchen, flustered at the mound of dirty dishes and peeved because of a failed video shoot and wanted to make something quickly.
Threw this Ultra Lazy Pasta Bake together using leftover vegetables thinking it “should be ok”, was blown away how well it actually worked, got the thumbs up from the homeless man, had it myself for dinner then decided to share it here. 🙂 – Nagi x
More big, juicy pasta bakes
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Baked Ziti – the mother of all pasta bakes!
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Tuna Pasta Bake – the highest and best use for canned tuna!
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Baked Mac and Cheese – and try the Shrimp version!
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Cheeseburger Casserole (Homemade Hamburger Helper)
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Browse all pasta recipes
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
Ultra Lazy HEALTHY Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake recipe video!
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Ultra Lazy Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 300 - 400 g / 10 - 14oz chicken tenderloin (raw) , breast or thigh, cut into 1.5cm / 3/5" pieces
- Salt and pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme (or other herbs and/or spices of choice)
- 250 g / 8 oz spiral pasta, uncooked (See Note 1 for other shapes)
- 1 1/2 cups / 375 ml chicken broth/stock , preferably warmed
- 2 cups / 500 ml milk , preferably warmed (any fat %)
- 1 large garlic clove , minced
- 1 - 2 tbsp /15 - 30g butter (optional)
- 1 large broccoli or 2 medium broccoli or cauliflower , broken into small to medium florets (Note 2 for subs)
- 100 - 150 g / 1 - 1.5 cups shredded cheese , any melting type (Note 3)
- 1/4 cup / 35g flour (all purpose / plain)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200C/390F (standard) or 180C/350F (fan forced / convection).
- Sprinkle chicken with salt (be generous), pepper and thyme, toss to coat.
- Spread pasta in a baking dish. Sprinkle over flour.
- Pour over milk and broth, add garlic and butter. Stir.
- Spread chicken over the top, then broccoli.
- Cover with foil, bake for 15 minutes (or 20 minutes if milk & broth were cold).
- Remove foil, STIR WELL. Add most of the cheese, then STIR WELL again. Top with remaining cheese.
- Return to oven. Bake for 15 - 20 minutes until top is golden and sauce is thickened (See note 4 for troubleshooting).
- Stand for a few minutes then serve immediately!
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
More chicken and broccoli recipes
For those of you who, like me, find yourself putting both of these in your trolley week after week…
LIFE OF DOZER
I always joke about how when I’m away, Dozer doesn’t miss me at all because he’s too busy enjoying his own holiday with a Golden Retriever boarder.
But apparently, when she takes Dozer to the beach, he breaks away from the pack and sprints up to “dark haired people of my shape”, then bolts back when he realises it’s not me.
I didn’t know what to react to first – pleased as punch at the first sign that he does actually seem to miss me, or bursting into laughter at her delicately phrased description that Dozer only runs towards vertically challenged, dark haired women with generously sized bottoms!!!
After cooking around 200 of your meals, I found this one to be lacking in the delicious taste…. Drawing on your cooking skills read and devoured, failure was not an option. So, I stirred in a sprinkle of onion and garlic powder,.:..Then, over the top added Parmesan, diced jalapeños & capsicum, baked extra 10 mins on 160 fan and wow, umami Nagi style
Made this last night and it was amazing! Had to bake it a bit longer, but my oven is weird. I found that 9×13 pan is the perfect size so you have room to stir. Great dinner to have going in the oven while I caught up with my family.
Another great idea from Nagi!
What is chicken tenderloin tho? Im in the UK so is this an aussi thing, don’t think I’ve ever seen it over here. Have had a google and it looks like it is a part of a breast fillet? I’m going to try this with full chicken breasts cut up and hopefully that will work 🙂
A great easy quick dinner! I do agree with some of the others that it is lacking a little bit of seasoning, however, that can be easily adjusted next time through some trial and error! Would definitely try again. Thanks Nagi
Delicious! I was possibly a tad short on broccoli so chucked in a bit of frozen mixed veg with my broccoli. Meant it took an extra 15 mins in the oven (those veg were cold!) but was perfect! Wouldn’t change a thing.
I made this with mushrooms instead of broccoli and swapped out the chicken for chicken roll (it’s chicken for sandwiches here in the UK) instead. I also add mixed herbs, cayenne pepper and smoked paprika to season my chicken 😋
Sorry Nagi, this one is a dud. Perhaps too many variables that could alter results or just not enough seasoning??Second try last night and its just rather plain. The good is this week I made your Veg Lasagna, 13 hour Lamb shoulder and Mushroom burger. All delicious. Thanks!
Hey Nagi, this looks great! What do you think cooking time would be for double portion size? Do you think I should do one big tray or two smaller ones? Thanks
Hard to pick a favourite of any of your recipes Nagi, I love the kebab recipes and lots more, but this one especially, because chuck it in the oven and done. No expensive takeawy ordered and delicious as always.
I love that I can go here to find something quick and yum, or more work and still yum. Cannot wait till October for your book! I will be preordering for myself and Christmas presents xo
Wonderful quick beautiful meal.thank you.
I am so happy that you enjoyed it Debbie! N x
Hi I’m just seeing if coconut milk would work with this? Or dairy free cheese?
Hi I’m just seeing if coconut milk would work with this?
Easy, minimal washing up, absolutely delicious. Loved it, and so did the kids.
That’s amazing Leisa! Thanks for commenting!! N x
Can you believe even my son (not-a-brocoli-fan) begs for this?
To me is perfect for weekends or weekdays! Easy, perfect outcome and I think I’ll give a try with other veggies too. Who knows, maybe it also turns out delicious too. I’ll let you know
Thanks Malena! I am always happy to have more feedback! N x
Loved this and how easy it was! Excited to use the recipe again and add more variations but great, healthy and quick meal! Thanks Nagi <3
I am happy that you liked it Andi!! N x
Can I make this recipe using almond or oat milk?
I use oat milk (and gluten free flour/pasta) when I make this recipe.
I love your recipe Nagi , but this one for me didn’t turn out too great. The chicken breast I used came out dry and not much sauce. In your defence I am house sitting and not use to a gas oven. So bit of a bummer this time.
Made this for the family tonight for an easy Sunday night dinner. So yum. Swapped out fresh chicken for bbq chicken (‘cause that’s what was in the fridge) and added sautéed red onion and mushrooms; all added at the cheese step (after 15 mins). It was perfect after a further 20 mins (200 degrees for my oven). Another favourite added to my list – thanks Nagi.
Nagi. Have been a massive fan for years, all your recipes I have tried are outstanding. I saw this one and thought “this is never going to work”, but tried it out of curiosity. Of course, it worked absolutely perfectly and was absolutely delicious. You’re a star.
I always have success with your recipes, Nagi, even though I’m not a good cook. Thank you for your simple but tasty recipes! I used whole meal spirals and whole meal flour for this one and baked in a non-stick roasting pan. It turned out PERFECT, in the suggested time, the first time!! AWESOME!! Thank you 😄
Thanks for that feedback! I am glad you enjoyed it!! N x