Description
A comforting Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake featuring tender chicken cubes, nutritious broccoli, and fusilli pasta in a creamy cheddar Parmesan sauce. This baked casserole is topped with crispy fried onions for a perfect crunch, making it an ideal family-friendly meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 ¼ cups half and half
- ½ chicken bouillon cube
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon parsley
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic salt
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ¼ lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
Pasta and Vegetables
- ½ lb. fusilli pasta
- 3–4 cups broccoli florets
Cheeses and Toppings
- 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup crispy fried onions
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350° F to prepare for baking the pasta casserole.
- Prepare Sauce Mixture: Combine chicken broth, half and half, chicken bouillon cube, hot sauce, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, onion powder, oregano, parsley, paprika, and garlic salt in a large measuring cup with a spout and set aside.
- Prepare Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes and pat dry. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning evenly.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken cubes and sear until golden brown and just cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Cook Pasta and Broccoli: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt once boiling, then add fusilli pasta. Cook the pasta according to package instructions minus 1 minute. During the last 4 minutes of cooking, add broccoli florets to the boiling pasta water to cook together. Drain both once done.
- Deglaze Pan: In the same skillet used for chicken, add dry white wine over medium heat. Use a silicone spatula to scrape and loosen browned bits from the pan. Simmer until wine is reduced by half, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Make Roux: Add butter and minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the flour continuously for 2 minutes to form a roux.
- Add Sauce Base: Slowly add the reserved sauce mixture in small splashes to the roux while stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
- Add Cheeses: Gradually sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese and half of the shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine Pasta and Broccoli with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta and broccoli to the cheese sauce and stir until evenly coated.
- Add Chicken: Return the cooked chicken along with any accumulated juices from the plate back into the skillet. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: If your skillet is not oven-safe, transfer the mixture into a lightly greased 9 x 13-inch casserole dish.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Cover the dish with foil or a lid and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
- Add Crispy Fried Onions and Finish Baking: Remove the cover and evenly sprinkle crispy fried onions on top. Bake uncovered for an additional 8 to 10 minutes until onions are golden and the cheese is bubbly. Serve warm.
Notes
- For the dry white wine, opt for a dry variety like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to enhance the flavors without sweetness.
- Cooking broccoli with pasta saves time and retains its bright color and nutrients.
- If you prefer, substitute crispy fried onions with toasted breadcrumbs for a healthier topping.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth and control added salt for a lower sodium dish.
- This dish can be prepared a day ahead and baked before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Chicken Pasta Bake, Broccoli Casserole, Cheesy Chicken Pasta, Baked Pasta Dish, Comfort Food, One-Dish Meal
