Chicken Alfredo Bake

This Cheesy Chicken Alfredo Bake is made with ANY kind of pasta and a 15-minute Alfredo sauce with chicken and broccoli! Use leftover or rotisserie chicken for an easy shortcut and top it with breadcrumbs or crushed Ritz!

📝 Ingredients

• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 large chicken breast (or 2 cups cooked/diced chicken)
• salt/pepper
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• ¾ lb. medium pasta shells (can sub any kind of pasta)
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded)
• 7 Tablespoons salted butter
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3.5 cups half and half
• 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese (shredded)
• 1/2 cup Romano cheese (shredded)
• 1/2 cup Ritz crackers (crushed)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. 2--- Cook the Chicken ---
3. 3Butterfly the chicken breast and cut the seam to create two thinner slices. Pat dry and season each side salt/pepper.
4. 4Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear until golden brown on each side, decrease heat if oil gets too hot. Each side will need 4-5 minutes.
5. 5Remove chicken from heat and let it rest for 5-10 minutes prior to dicing into bite-size pieces.
6. 6--- Boil the Pasta ---
7. 7Add 1/2 tbsp. of salt to 4-6 quarts of boiling water. Cook the pasta no more than the al dente point, (8 minutes for medium pasta shells), refer to box for specific time.
8. 8Add the broccoli during the last 4 minutes of boiling. Drain.
9. 9--- Prepare the Sauce ---
10. 10Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and heat for 1 minute.
11. 11Whisk in the flour, heat for 1 minute.
12. 12Gradually add the half and half. Allow it to come to a gentle bubble.
13. 13Decrease heat to low and stir for 1-2 minutes.
14. 14Gradually sprinkle in the Parmesan and Romano cheese, whisking continuously until well combined. Turn off heat.
15. 15--- Assemble the Casserole ---
16. 16Add the pasta to the sauce and stir to combine. Stir in the chicken and steamed broccoli.
17. 17Add to a lightly greased 9 x 13 casserole dish. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
18. 18--- Bake ---
19. 19Bake uncovered for 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted.
20. 20If desired, top with crushed Ritz crackers (or breadcrumbs), and bake for 5 more minutes.
21. 21PRO TIP: Let the casserole sit for 5-10 minutes prior to serving. This allows the pasta to absorb the sauce and gives the piping hot casserole time to cool slightly prior to serving.