Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Baked Alfredo Recipe for Dinner Joy
Creamy chicken and broccoli baked alfredo brings comfort straight to your dinner table with minimal effort.
Pasta lovers appreciate how quickly this dish comes together without complicated techniques.
Rich parmesan cheese melts into a luxurious sauce that coats every single noodle perfectly.
Tender chicken pieces blend seamlessly with crisp broccoli florets for balanced nutrition.
Fresh ingredients make this classic recipe feel like a restaurant-quality meal prepared in your own kitchen.
Busy home cooks will appreciate how one pan creates a satisfying meal everyone enjoys.
Dive into this delightful recipe that promises warm, cheesy goodness in every single bite.
Why Chicken and Broccoli Baked Alfredo Is A Comfort Classic
What To Buy For Chicken and Broccoli Baked Alfredo
For the Protein:For the Vegetables:For the Dairy and Cream Components:For the Aromatics and Seasonings:For the Cooking and Finishing Ingredients:How To Make Chicken and Broccoli Baked Alfredo Easily
Step 1: Warm Up The Oven
Crank the oven to a toasty 375°F and grab a large baking dish. Give it a quick olive oil spray to prevent anything from sticking.
Step 2: Prepare Chicken
Slice chicken breasts into neat, bite-sized chunks that will soak up all the delicious flavors.
Step 3: Sizzle The Chicken
Fire up a skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat. Toss in chicken pieces and cook until they turn a beautiful golden brown, about 5-6 minutes.
Step 4: Blanch The Broccoli
Chop broccoli into friendly little pieces. Drop them into boiling water for a quick 2-minute bath to keep them bright and crisp.
Step 5: Awaken The Garlic
Finely chop garlic cloves and let them dance in melted butter until they become fragrant and lightly golden.
Step 6: Create Creamy Magic
Grab a mixing bowl and whisk together:Blend until silky smooth.
Step 7: Spice It Up
Season the cream sauce with:Stir to spread the love evenly.
Step 8: Layer The Goodness
Arrange the sautéed chicken and blanched broccoli in the baking dish, creating a delicious landscape.
Step 9: Pour The Sauce
Drench the chicken and broccoli with the creamy alfredo sauce, making sure every morsel gets covered.
Step 10: Cheese It Up
Shower the top with mozzarella cheese for a golden, melty finish.
Step 11: Bake To Perfection
Pop the dish in the oven and bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes. Watch for bubbling sauce and golden-brown cheese.
Step 12: Let It Rest
Pull the dish out and give it a 5-minute breather to let the sauce settle.
Step 13: Serve And Enjoy
Sprinkle some fresh parsley on top and serve piping hot. Pasta makes a fantastic sidekick if you’re feeling extra hungry.
Tips To Get Chicken and Broccoli Baked Alfredo Just Right
Ways To Mix Up Chicken and Broccoli Baked Alfredo
What Goes Well With Chicken and Broccoli Baked Alfredo
How To Store Chicken and Broccoli Baked Alfredo The Easy Way
FAQs About Chicken and Broccoli Baked Alfredo
While delicious, it’s rich in calories due to heavy cream, cheese, and butter. For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt, reduce cheese quantities, and add more vegetables.
Absolutely! Swap chicken for shrimp, turkey, or tofu. Each protein will bring a unique flavor profile to the dish while maintaining similar cooking techniques.
Whisk the cream sauce slowly and consistently, using room temperature ingredients. Avoid high heat and stir gently to maintain a smooth, creamy consistency.
Parsley works wonderfully, but basil, thyme, and oregano also enhance the flavor. Fresh herbs add brightness and depth to the creamy alfredo base.
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Oven-Baked Chicken And Broccoli Baked Alfredo Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
Comfort meets elegance in this chicken and broccoli baked alfredo, where creamy sauce embraces tender chicken and crisp broccoli. Hearty pasta layers blend with rich parmesan, promising a satisfying meal you’ll savor to the last delicious bite.
Ingredients
Main Protein and Vegetable:
- 2 lbs chicken breast
- 3 cups broccoli florets
Dairy and Sauce Components:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1/4 cup butter
Seasoning and Extras:
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- 1 cup pasta (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a large baking dish by lightly coating with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Slice chicken breasts into uniform bite-sized pieces, ensuring even cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then sauté chicken until golden brown and nearly cooked through, approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Chop broccoli florets into bite-sized pieces and briefly blanch in boiling water for 2 minutes to maintain vibrant color and crisp texture.
- Mince garlic cloves and sauté in butter until fragrant and lightly golden, releasing their aromatic essence.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together heavy cream, whole milk, cream cheese, and grated parmesan until smooth and well-incorporated.
- Season the cream sauce with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes, stirring to distribute spices evenly.
- Layer sautéed chicken and blanched broccoli in the prepared baking dish, creating an even distribution.
- Pour the creamy alfredo sauce over the chicken and broccoli, ensuring complete coverage.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese across the top for a golden, melted finish.
- Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until the sauce bubbles and cheese turns golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow sauce to set.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot, optionally accompanied by pasta.
Notes
- Optimize chicken tenderness by marinating in buttermilk or yogurt for 30 minutes before cooking, which helps break down proteins and create a more succulent texture.
- Reduce fat content by substituting heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half, maintaining creamy consistency while cutting calories.
- Enhance vegetable nutrition by adding additional colorful vegetables like bell peppers or spinach, creating a more balanced and nutrient-dense meal.
- Make the dish gluten-free by using cornstarch instead of traditional flour-based thickeners and ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 615
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 890 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 23 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 170 mg
Mia Thompson
Pastry Chef & Content Creator
Expertise
Education
Portland Community College – Baking and Pastry Arts Program
Specialized in artisanal bread, seasonal desserts, and sustainable baking methods.
National University of Natural Medicine – Bachelor of Science in Nutrition (BScN)
Focused on “Food as Medicine” philosophy, with core threads in nutrition.
Mia’s love affair with baking began in her grandmother’s kitchen, where sneaking spoonfuls of batter first sparked her curiosity. She refined her skills through Portland Community College’s Baking and Pastry Arts Program and her expertise at the National University of Natural Medicine, earning a B.Sc. in Nutrition.
At The Scrumptious Pumpkin, Mia reimagines classics with effortless seasonal treats, healthier twists on old favorites, and playful confections that feel like pure joy. Beyond the oven, she nurtures her urban garden, forages local ingredients around Portland, and leads hands‑on nutrition workshops for her community.