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!!!
Hi. Does it matter what size pan I use?
Hi Ally! Just use a standard rectangle size one, about 9 x 13″ 🙂
Looks great definitely giving this a try and because it’s so healthy blend some up for my baby 😊😊
Hope you and your baby both love it! 🙂 N x
Nagi, WOW!
This recipe was amazing! It had easy prep, great taste and was warm and comforting as the temps dropped in the US’ Midwest.
My riffs included dried herbs in a “poultry seasoning” combo instead of just thyme, two garlic cloves and 2 cups of cheese total (as I’m addicted…). I combined the noodles, flour, warm liquids, butter and garlic and let that sit while I cut up the chicken. Not sure if that sit time helped the noodles but they came out just the right amount of firm (a bit more done than al dente). My whole family loved this dish and said they would definitely have it again.
Thank you!
That’s great to hear Mary, thanks for sharing your feedback! N x ❤️
I didn’t enjoy this recipe as much as I thought I would. The dish took about an hour to cook in my oven that was preheated accurately. And I didn’t find it to be that tasty. My husband and kids liked it though.
Sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy this that much Meghna. But I’m glad to hear your kids and husband did!
I have never been so amazed by a recipe so easy! Absolutely delicious and at approx 5 minute prep time is a total winner! Thanks Nagi
That’s terrific Matt! Thanks for letting me know! N xx ❤️
Hi Nagi, i just discovery your site through facebook and what great find! Question, may I use almond or cashew milk instead or milk? if so will the cooking dime be different?
thank you
The broccoli wasn’t quite done even though I had cut it into small pieces. Everything else was. Next time I would probably microwave it for 30 seconds with a tablespoon of water and then add it to the dish. The roux definitely separated but it tasted fine.
Hi Jeanne! This definitely does cook broccoli to tender-crisp rather than soft, so if you like yours soft, then great idea to microwave first! N xx
Hi! We tried this dish tonight in hopes of it being like one we were fond of growing up but without using canned soup. Our problem was that the pasta ended up with a gummy texture and way cheesier than it should’ve been. We followed the recipe. Do you have an idea what causes this? Thanks! Emily
Hi Emily – gummy texture??? I have a feeling that perhaps you put in less liquid than required?? I’m sorry to hear you had troubles with it! N x
Should’ve proof read earlier… I meant to say chewier, as in the pasta was too chewy
I want to make sure I understand the recipe. The chicken and the pasta are both uncooked?
Yes that’s right Sherri! Chop the chicken small to ensure it cooks through 🙂 N x
Hi Philip! I’m sorry to say it sounds like your oven is a bit weak, at the least the liquid should be hot hot HOT by 20 minutes! 🙂 N x
This is super delicious! I made it for dinner tonight and ended up using more pasta than I should have so I doubled up on everything. Wasn’t sure how it was going to turn out, but it was great!
Wonderful to hear Kayla! Thank you for sharing your feedback – N x ❤️
Hi Nag this just looks yummy 😋 I am starving even reading the recipe have most of the ingredients in kitchen just need to pick up one or two things in shop and I’m going to have a go at making this for my 2 children this evening can’t wait to taste my tummy is rumbling thinking about it🙂 I think it’s fab how u came about making it fair play to u I’d say the homeless man is only delighted when he sees u coming his way 🌟
He’s a valuable member of our community, he gives back more than he gets. 🙂 He looks after our park so well, I don’t know what we’d do without him!! N xx
Such an easy recipe for a beginner like me❤️.. can I add fresh mushrooms to this?
Hi Anita! I’d recommend not, unfortunately 🙂 Mushrooms have quite a high water content so will make the pasta too soggy (unless you just use a few!) N x
Another winner! Made this for dinner tonight. Never tried cooking pasta in the oven before (without pre-boiling it). Brilliant! And I was impressed that it didn’t get mushy and that the broccoli stayed crisp tender.
Next time I am adding a little spice. Though I did eat it with sriracha and it gave it a nice kick. 😉
I’m so pleased to hear you enjoyed this Sandra! Thanks for letting me know! N x ❤️
Hi Nagi, I made this today and it is so yummy. At first I was a bit hesitant to try this recipe because of using uncooked pasta. But I cooked it for about 35 minutes, stirring halfway through, before I added the cheese. I was also tempted to add more salt . I’m glad I did not.
I will definitely make this again. Thank you for this lovely recipe.
Yesssss!!! so glad to hear that Angie! N x ❤️
Sooo tried this tonight and it was AMAZING. I am currently counting macronutrients and it’s so helpful that it was delicious and filling and also super macro friendly. Also, my husband liked it and finding a win for him that meets my nutritional standards is not an easy goal. Thank you!!
I’m so happy you enjoyed this Megan! Thank you for letting me know – N x ❤️
Is the chicken in this recipe supposed to be cooked or raw?
Raw!
I’m replying to myself: I used cooked chicken and it turned out good. I loved not using a bunch of pans and dishes too!
I’m so glad to hear that Allison! 🙂 PS I reply to myself all the time! ❤️
We just had a jam packed weekend and I really didn’t want to order a pizza for Sunday dinner but I was short on time. I remembered bookmarking this recipe and this was a good chance to put it to the test. Well, my family loved it, we have leftovers for later in the week, and it was a breeze to prepare and clean up! I especially liked that there was no need for heavy cream. Also, it’s so nice that you deliver meals to the homeless man in your community, I’m sure he appreciates it!
I’m so happy you and the family enjoyed this Mica! Thank you for letting me know – N x ❤️
Will the pasta be cooked al dente or all the way through? Not really crazy about al dente so wasn’t sure weather to cook until al dente and then put it in the dish before it goes in the oven or to put the pasta in straight out of the box and still have it be cooked throughout
It’s beyond al dente 🙂 It is tender!
Can this be made is a crockpot?
Sorry Brooke, this is an oven recipe 🙂 N x