Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and generously grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. Season both sides of chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken breasts and cook for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove from heat, let rest for 5 minutes, then cut into bite-sized pieces.
- While chicken cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente (usually 1-2 minutes less than package suggests). Drain well and set aside.
- In the same pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add broccoli florets and blanch for 3-4 minutes until bright green and slightly tender. Drain immediately and run under cold water to stop cooking.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, blanched broccoli, cut chicken, and Alfredo sauce. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated with sauce.
- Transfer mixture to prepared 9x13-inch baking dish, spreading evenly. Sprinkle shredded Parmesan cheese generously over the top in an even layer.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until casserole is bubbly around edges and cheese develops a golden-brown crust. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving so sauce thickens slightly.
Notes
Blanching broccoli before baking ensures it cooks to perfect tenderness. Cook pasta 1-2 minutes less than package directions to prevent mushiness. Fresh broccoli works best but frozen can be substituted (thaw and drain thoroughly, skip blanching step). Store leftovers in airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Freezes well for up to 2 months.
