Broccoli Chicken Alfredo (Printable Version)

Tasty broccoli and chicken bake smothered in rich Alfredo sauce, packed with tons of cheese.

# What You'll Need:

→ Main Components

01 - 8 ounces spiral or tube pasta (roughly 3 cups dry)
02 - 2 cups pulled chicken meat (grab a store-bought rotisserie for easy prep)
03 - 2 cups small broccoli pieces, lightly steamed till just crisp

→ Creamy Sauce Mix

04 - 2 tablespoons plain butter
05 - 2 tablespoons regular flour
06 - 2 cups milk (full-fat works best for creaminess)
07 - 1 cup whipping cream
08 - 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
09 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
10 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, adjust to your liking
12 - 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper, adjust to your liking

→ Cheese Layer

13 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella

→ Add-ons if Wanted

14 - Chopped fresh parsley
15 - Sprinkle of red pepper flakes for kick
16 - Extra Parmesan for serving

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Warm up your oven to 375°F (190°C). Coat a 9x13-inch baking pan with a bit of butter or cooking spray so nothing sticks.
02 - Fill a big pot with water, add some salt, and bring it to a boil. Toss in your pasta and cook it until it's still got a tiny bit of firmness (about 8-10 minutes). It'll keep cooking in the oven later. Drain it well and put it aside.
03 - If you haven't done it yet, chop your broccoli into small pieces and steam them for about 3-4 minutes until they turn bright green but aren't mushy. You can also pop them in the microwave with a splash of water in a covered dish for 2-3 minutes. Make sure to drain off any extra water.
04 - Grab a deep pan and melt your butter over medium heat. When it's all melted, stir in the flour and keep whisking for about a minute until you've got a smooth mix. Slowly pour in your milk and cream while whisking to avoid any lumps. Keep stirring as it heats up and gets thicker, for about 4-5 minutes. Add your Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Keep stirring until everything's nice and smooth.
05 - In a big bowl, throw together your cooked pasta, chicken pieces, and broccoli. Pour your creamy sauce all over and gently stir until everything's coated well.
06 - Dump your mixture into your greased baking dish and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle all the mozzarella on top so you'll get that awesome cheesy crust.
07 - Stick your dish in the hot oven for about 20-25 minutes. You'll know it's done when you see bubbles around the edges and the cheese has melted and turned a nice golden color. Want it extra golden? Turn on the broiler for a minute or two at the end.
08 - Take it out and let it sit for 5 minutes. Then if you want, toss some parsley, pepper flakes, or extra Parmesan on top before you dig in.

# Additional Notes:

01 - Save time by buying already-cooked chicken and pre-cut broccoli that's ready for the microwave.
02 - Want to make it early? Just put everything together, cover it up, and stick it in the fridge for up to a day before baking.
03 - Looking for something less heavy? Use half-and-half instead of cream and grab part-skim mozzarella.

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