Creamy Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake

$To make Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake, gather these simple ingredients: - 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded - 4 cups broccoli florets, steamed until bright green and tender - 8 ounces fettuccine pasta - 2 cups Alfredo sauce (store-bought or homemade) - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese - 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 1 teaspoon garlic powder - 1 teaspoon onion powder - Salt and pepper to taste - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for added heat) I like to use certain brands for best results. For pasta, Barilla is reliable and cooks well. For cheese, I recommend Kraft for mozzarella and Parmesan. For Alfredo sauce, Prego has a tasty option. If you want to make your own sauce, use quality cream and fresh garlic. Choose good olive oil, like Bertolli, for flavor. You can adjust the recipe if you have dietary needs. For gluten-free options, swap fettuccine for gluten-free pasta. If you're dairy-free, use cashew cheese or a dairy-free Alfredo sauce. For a leaner dish, substitute chicken with turkey or chickpeas for protein. You can also use fresh spinach instead of broccoli if you prefer. {{ingredient_image_2}} To start, gather all your ingredients. This makes cooking easier. You will need cooked chicken, broccoli, fettuccine pasta, and Alfredo sauce. Don’t forget the cheese and spices! 1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). This helps cook the dish evenly. 2. Cook the pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water. Add 8 ounces of fettuccine pasta. Cook for about 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain it and set it aside. 3. Mix the ingredients: In a big bowl, combine 2 cups of shredded chicken, 4 cups of steamed broccoli, and the cooked fettuccine. 4. Add the sauce: Pour in 2 cups of Alfredo sauce. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, and salt and pepper. If you like heat, add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Stir until everything is coated. 5. Prepare for baking: Transfer the mix into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly. 1. Add cheese: Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese on top. This makes the bake cheesy and tasty. 2. Cover and bake: Cover the dish with aluminum foil. Bake it for 20 minutes to keep the steam inside. 3. Uncover and finish baking: After 20 minutes, take off the foil. Bake for another 10-15 minutes. Look for melted, golden, and bubbly cheese. 4. Cool before serving: Let it cool for a few minutes. This helps the flavors blend together. Enjoy your Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake! To get perfect pasta, use enough water. A large pot helps cook the pasta evenly. Add salt to the boiling water; it boosts flavor. Cook the fettuccine until it’s al dente, firm but tender. This usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain it quickly to stop cooking, then set it aside. For a creamy sauce, you can use store-bought Alfredo sauce. If you want to make it fresh, combine butter, heavy cream, and cheese in a pan. Heat gently to mix well. Stir in garlic powder and onion powder for flavor. Be sure to mix the sauce with the chicken and broccoli while they are warm. This keeps the sauce smooth and well-blended. Serving your Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake hot makes it taste best. For a bright touch, sprinkle fresh parsley or basil on top. You can also add toasted breadcrumbs for a crunchy texture. Serve it right from the dish for a cozy feel. Enjoy watching everyone dig in! Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: Whenever possible, opt for fresh broccoli and homemade Alfredo sauce for the best flavor. Customize Your Cheese: Feel free to mix different cheeses like cheddar or gouda for a unique taste profile. Meal Prep Friendly: This dish can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Leftover Magic: Any leftovers can be reheated in the oven or microwave; just add a splash of milk to maintain creaminess. {{image_4}} You can switch the chicken for turkey or shrimp. Turkey offers a lean taste. Shrimp adds a nice seafood touch. Both options keep the dish light and tasty. When using shrimp, cook it briefly to stay tender. For turkey, use shredded or diced pieces. Each choice brings a new flavor to the bake. Add more veggies for extra flavor and crunch. Slice bell peppers or zucchini for color. Mushrooms add a rich, earthy taste. Spinach or kale can boost the nutrition. Mix these veggies with the chicken and pasta. They will brighten the dish and make it more filling. You have two main choices for Alfredo sauce: store-bought or homemade. Store-bought saves time and works well. Make sure to choose a brand with real ingredients. Homemade sauce can taste fresher and richer. Use butter, cream, and cheese for the base. Adjust garlic and seasoning to your liking. Both options can make your Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake delightful. To store your Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake, let it cool first. Use an airtight container. This helps keep the flavors fresh. You can keep it in the fridge for up to four days. Make sure to cover it well. This prevents it from drying out. When you are ready to eat, reheat the leftovers in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Cover the dish with foil. This keeps the dish moist. Bake for about 20 minutes or until it is hot. You can also use the microwave. Heat in 30-second bursts until warm. Stir in between to help heat evenly. If you want to freeze your Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake, let it cool completely. Place it in a freezer-safe dish. You can also use freezer bags. Squeeze out as much air as possible. This helps prevent freezer burn. It can last up to three months in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Then, reheat it as mentioned above. Enjoy your meal later! You can use any pasta shape you like. Penne, rotini, or even whole wheat pasta work well. These options add fun shapes and textures to your dish. The key is to cook the pasta until it is al dente. This means it should still have a slight bite. Yes, you can prepare this dish ahead of time. Just follow all the steps until baking. Then, cover the dish and place it in the fridge. You can bake it the next day. It may need a few extra minutes in the oven if it is cold. Homemade Alfredo sauce is simple to make. Here’s a quick recipe: - Ingredients: - 1 cup heavy cream - 1/2 cup butter - 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 1 teaspoon garlic powder - Salt and pepper to taste 1. In a saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. 2. Add heavy cream and simmer for 5 minutes. 3. Stir in the garlic powder. 4. Gradually whisk in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. 5. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Now you have a creamy sauce for your Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake! This article covered everything you need for a great Alfredo dish. We explored essential ingredients and tips for cooking pasta and sauce. You learned about variations, like using different proteins and vegetables. I shared how to store, reheat, and freeze leftovers. Remember, cooking can be fun and easy. With these steps, you can serve a tasty meal any time. Keep experimenting to find your favorite flavors!$

Creamy Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake

A delicious and comforting baked dish featuring chicken, broccoli, and fettuccine pasta in a creamy Alfredo sauce, topped with melted cheese.

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Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 6

Calories 500 kcal

Ingredients

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
4 cups broccoli florets, steamed
8 ounces fettuccine pasta
2 cups Alfredo sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
to taste salt and pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with olive oil.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the fettuccine pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, steamed broccoli florets, and cooked fettuccine.
Pour the Alfredo sauce over the mixture, add garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes (if using), and season with salt and pepper. Mix gently until well-coated.
Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
Sprinkle the top with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

Serve hot and consider garnishing with parsley or basil for a fresh touch.

Keyword Alfredo, bake, broccoli, chicken, pasta