Broccoli Chicken Alfredo (Printable Version)
# What You'll Need:
→ Main Stuff
01 -
3 cups uncooked spiral or tube pasta (around 8 oz)
02 -
2 cups pulled chicken meat (grab a ready-made rotisserie chicken)
03 -
2 cups small broccoli pieces, lightly steamed till just soft
→ Creamy Sauce Mix
04 -
2 tablespoons plain butter
05 -
2 tablespoons regular flour
06 -
2 cups milk (go for full-fat for extra creaminess)
07 -
1 cup thick cream
08 -
3/4 cup freshly grated Parm cheese
09 -
1/2 teaspoon garlic dust
10 -
1/2 teaspoon onion dust
11 -
1/2 teaspoon salt, add more if needed
12 -
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, adjust to taste
→ Cheese Layer
13 -
1 cup stringy mozzarella, grated
→ Extra Toppings
14 -
Chopped fresh parsley
15 -
Spicy red flakes, if you want some kick
16 -
Extra Parm cheese for sprinkling
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Coat a 9x13-inch dish with some butter or cooking spray so nothing sticks.
02 -
Fill a big pot with water, add some salt, and bring it to a boil. Toss in the pasta and cook it until it's still a bit firm, about 8-10 minutes. You want it slightly undercooked since it'll bake more later. Drain it and put it aside.
03 -
If your broccoli isn't steamed yet, chop it into small chunks and steam for about 3-4 minutes until it turns bright green but still has some crunch. You can also put it in the microwave with a splash of water in a covered container for 2-3 minutes. Make sure to drain off any extra water.
04 -
Grab a big pan and melt your butter on medium heat. Once it's all melty, add the flour and keep whisking for a minute until you get a smooth mix. Slowly pour in your milk and cream while whisking non-stop to avoid any lumps. Keep cooking and stirring until it starts to bubble and thicken, around 4-5 minutes. Mix in the Parm, garlic dust, onion dust, salt, and pepper. Keep stirring until everything's smooth and thick.
05 -
In a big bowl, throw in your cooked pasta, chicken pieces, and steamed broccoli. Pour your creamy sauce all over and gently mix until everything's nicely coated.
06 -
Pour your mixture into your greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Scatter all the mozzarella on top so it'll melt into a yummy crust.
07 -
Stick the dish in your hot oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until you see bubbles around the edges and the cheese gets all melty and golden. If you want it extra brown on top, turn on the broiler for a minute or two at the end.
08 -
Take it out and let it sit for about 5 minutes. Before serving, sprinkle on some parsley, red pepper flakes, or more Parm if you're feeling fancy.
# Additional Tips:
01 -
Save time by using store-bought rotisserie chicken and those bags of ready-to-microwave broccoli.
02 -
Want to prep early? Put the whole thing together, cover it up, and stick it in the fridge for up to a day before baking.
03 -
Looking for something less heavy? Try using half-and-half instead of cream and go with low-fat mozzarella.