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 a man who lives in his van 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
Baked Ziti – the mother of all pasta bakes!
Tuna Pasta Bake – the highest and best use for canned tuna!
Baked Mac and Cheese – and try the Shrimp version!
Cheeseburger Casserole (Homemade Hamburger Helper)
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
- 400g / 14 oz 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)
- 250g / 8 oz spiral pasta, uncooked (See Note 1 for other shapes)
- 1/4 cup flour (all purpose / plain)
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth/stock , warmed
- 2 cups milk , warmed (any fat %)
- 1 large garlic clove , minced
- 2 tbsp / 30g unsalted butter , recommended but optional
- 1 large broccoli or 2 medium broccoli or cauliflower, broken into small to medium florets (Note 2 for subs)
- 1 1/2 cups (tightly packed) shredded cheddar or colby cheese (or tasty cheese, pizza mix etc, Note 3)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200°C/390°F (180°C fan-forced).
- Sprinkle chicken with salt (be generous), pepper and thyme, toss to coat.
- Spread pasta in a 23 x 33cm / 9 x 13" baking dish. Sprinkle flour all across the surface (don't dump in clump else it won't dissolve). 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!!!
Delicious and easy!! Will be adding to my dinner rotation!
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 making it and eating it. Can make all sorts of variables now I believe it works.
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 unsweetened soy beverage…..delicious!
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
Are there any alterations I should make for cooking this at high altitude? I have had trouble with the rice ones and had to cook them a lot longer. Would this be the same?
Whatever you do, don’t use chickpea pasta haha. It turned into complete mush halfway cooking. I can’t wait to try it again with regular pasta! However, it looked delicious- I wish I could have eaten it!
I’ll keep that in mind!! N x
Hi Nagi! I usually have great luck with your recipes but this one wasn’t a hit. I baked it an extra 25 minutes and it was still extremely soupy, and it was lacking in flavor probably because of that. I will try to make it again but halve the milk/broth amounts. Definitely worth another try!
Hi there,
how do you do for the pasta not to be mushy ?
If you use a good quality pasta and follow the recipe exactly Melany, the pasta shouldn’t be mushy. N x
This is the dish I had in my head but all the recipes said isn’t possible
It is and it’s exactly what I wanted.
Thankyou.
I tried this because my garden had delivered an abundance of Broccolli & I had chicken in the freezer. Net result, a 10 out of 10 from my wife, “this is a keeper”. Full disclaimer, I did use Garlic powder as opposed to fresh.