Name: Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 ounces rotini pasta; 3 cups broccoli florets (cut into bite-size pieces); 3 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 cup chopped yellow onion; 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1 ½ cups low sodium chicken broth; 1 ½ cups whole milk; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ¾ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon pepper; 2 ½ cups chopped cooked chicken breast; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (8 ounces, divided)

There’s something incredibly comforting about a warm, cheesy bake loaded with tender chicken and fresh broccoli. This Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake Recipe is one of those dishes that always feels like a hug on a plate — creamy, cheesy, satisfying, and just the right amount of hearty for any night of the week.

A close-up view of a pasta bake in a clear glass rectangular dish, filled with three main layers visible: creamy light orange cheese sauce mixed with pale yellow spiral rotini pasta swirled with pieces of light beige chicken and bright green broccoli florets, topped with scattered small chopped parsley leaves. A wooden spoon lifts a portion showing a thick, saucy, and mixed texture. The dish rests on a white marbled texture surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I love sharing this Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake Recipe because it’s got that perfect balance of gooey cheese, tender chicken, and crisp-tender broccoli. It’s not only a crowd-pleaser but makes weeknight dinners genuinely easy and tasty.

Comfort Food at Its Best: Creamy cheese sauce and baked pasta create that cozy vibe everyone craves after a long day.
Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: No fancy stuff here—just straightforward pantry staples and fresh broccoli.
Flexible and Family-Friendly: Everyone can enjoy it, and it’s easy to tweak for your preferences or what you have on hand.
One-Dish Wonder: Easy cleanup and a balanced meal all baked together—what’s not to like?

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a role in making this bake irresistible. From the hearty rotini pasta that holds onto the sauce to the broccoli adding freshness and a pop of color, everything harmonizes beautifully. Here’s a quick rundown of what to look for when you shop and why these ingredients shine together.

Flat lay of a small mound of uncooked rotini pasta spirals, a handful of fresh broccoli florets, a few tablespoons of unsalted butter resting on a white ceramic plate, a small white bowl of chopped yellow onion, a small white bowl filled with all-purpose flour, a small white bowl containing low sodium chicken broth, a small white bowl with whole milk, a small white bowl with dried Italian seasoning, a small white bowl with garlic powder, a small white bowl of salt, a small white bowl of black pepper, a pile of chopped cooked chicken breast on a white ceramic plate, and a small white bowl filled with shredded cheddar cheese, all arranged symmetrically and proportionally, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Rotini Pasta: Its spiral shape traps the creamy sauce perfectly, so every bite is loaded with flavor.
Broccoli Florets: Adding bite-size pieces ensures even cooking without turning mushy—plus, their slight crispness keeps the dish fresh.
Unsalted Butter: Essential for that rich base in the sauce—using unsalted lets you control the seasoning better.
Chopped Yellow Onion: Cooked until tender, it brings a sweet, mellow flavor that layers beautifully into the creamy sauce.
All-Purpose Flour: This thickens the sauce to that perfect smooth creaminess, avoiding any runny mess.
Low Sodium Chicken Broth: Provides depth and savory flavor without overpowering; low sodium helps manage salt levels.
Whole Milk: Adds creaminess and richness that makes the sauce indulgent but still light enough to balance.
Italian Seasoning: A simple mix that just pulls the flavors together with herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme.
Garlic Powder: A gentle punch of garlic flavor that lifts the sauce without being too sharp.
Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning and rounding out all those layered flavors.
Chopped Cooked Chicken Breast: Tender, lean protein that’s perfect for soaking up all the cheesy goodness.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese: We use it twice—mixed inside and sprinkled on top for melty, golden, bubbly perfection.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I adore about this Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. Whether you swap the veggies, go for different cheese, or add more spices, there’s plenty of room to customize without losing that comforting heartiness.

Variation: I sometimes add mushrooms or swap broccoli with spinach when it’s on hand—both add extra veggies effortlessly.
Dairy-Free Twist: Try vegan cheese and almond milk in place of cheddar and whole milk for a dairy-free version that still tastes creamy.
Spice it Up: A pinch of red pepper flakes or smoked paprika adds a subtle kick that brightens the flavors in a new way.
Protein Swap: Leftover turkey or rotisserie chicken works wonderfully here if you don’t have fresh cooked chicken.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake Recipe

The image shows a large silver pot with four main sections of food inside. The first section has green broccoli florets mixed with light beige spiral pasta. The second section is a pile of shredded orange-yellow cheese. The third section contains pieces of light beige cooked meat. The fourth section has a creamy white sauce with visible herbs. A wooden spoon with a red silicone head rests partially in the sauce section. In the background, there is a white bowl filled with more shredded cheese on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Cook the Pasta and Broccoli Together

I start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Adding the rotini pasta first, and then tossing in the broccoli florets for the last two minutes, helps them cook evenly without turning mushy. Draining and rinsing under cold water stops the cooking, keeping everything nice and tender but still firm. This combo cooking saves time and ensures perfect texture.

Step 2: Build the Creamy Sauce

Next, I melt butter in a large skillet, then soften the chopped onion until translucent and fragrant—usually about 4 to 5 minutes. Adding the flour and whisking for about 30 seconds cooks out the raw taste. Pouring in the chicken broth and milk slowly while whisking prevents lumps. I then sprinkle in Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cooking it until it thickens, about 3 to 5 minutes, gives the sauce that luscious creaminess we want.

Step 3: Combine and Bake

Off the heat, I stir in the cooked chicken, pasta, broccoli, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese—this lets the cheese melt into the sauce and bind it together. Transferring the mixture to a baking dish, I smooth it out and sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top. Covering with foil and baking at 375° F for 15 minutes locks in moisture, then uncovering it for 5 more minutes gives that bubbly, golden cheese finish everyone loves.

Top Tip

Through plenty of trial and error, I found a few tricks that really elevate this Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake Recipe. These small touches can make a big difference for your cooking confidence and the final flavor.

Don’t Overcook the Broccoli: Adding it in the last two minutes inside the pasta water keeps it crisp-tender, balancing the creamy richness.
Whisk Often: When making your sauce, constant whisking avoids lumps and helps the mixture thicken smoothly and evenly.
Use Sharp Cheddar: Sharp cheddar adds depth to the flavor and melts beautifully, making the bake irresistibly cheesy.
Cover While Baking: Cover with foil first to prevent the cheese from browning too fast and keep all that moisture locked in for a creamy texture.

How to Serve Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake Recipe

cheesy chicken broccoli - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or green onions over the top—it adds a fresh color pop and a little brightness to balance the richness. A little cracked black pepper right before serving also enhances that cozy flavor.

Side Dishes

This bake pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad dressed lightly with lemon vinaigrette, or some garlic bread for those days you want a total comfort meal. Roasted carrots or a simple cucumber salad add a refreshing crunch alongside.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve brought this bake to casual family gatherings baked in individual ramekins—it’s such a hit seeing everyone’s personal cheesy portions. For a fun twist, try topping each with a slice of tomato before baking for color and a juicy surprise.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After diners have enjoyed their fill, I let the leftovers cool, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, which means second-day servings taste even better!

Freezing

This bake freezes well—just prepare the dish up to assembly, cover tightly with foil and plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as usual, adding a few extra minutes if needed.

Reheating

To reheat leftovers, I cover the dish with foil to prevent drying out and bake at 350° F until warmed through, usually about 15-20 minutes. Microwaving works too, but I prefer the oven to keep it creamy and prevent the cheese from getting rubbery.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of pasta for the Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake Recipe?

Absolutely! While rotini works great because it holds the sauce well, penne, fusilli, or elbow macaroni are great substitutes. Just be sure to adjust cooking times accordingly to keep them al dente.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the bake up to a day ahead, cover, and keep it refrigerated. When ready to bake, bring it to room temperature for about 20 minutes and then bake as directed. This helps the casserole cook evenly.

What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?

Oven reheating covered with foil retains moisture best and prevents the cheese from drying out or getting rubbery. Microwaving is quicker but can alter texture slightly.

Can I substitute the chicken with another protein?

Definitely! Leftover turkey works especially well, or cooked sausage for something a bit different. Just make sure whatever protein you use is cooked before adding it to the bake.

Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen rotation because it’s quick, comforting, and always a hit with anyone I serve it to. I hope you find it as satisfying and easy to customize as I do—it's a reliable go-to when you want something both cozy and wholesome. Give it a try and watch it become a favorite in your home too!