Ultra Lazy Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake

• servings: 5 servings
• total time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

400g / 14 oz chicken tenderloin (raw) (, breast or thigh, cut into 1.5cm / 3/5" pieces)

Salt and pepper

1 tsp dried thyme (or other herbs and/or spices of choice)

250g / 8 oz spiral pasta, uncooked (See Note 1 for other shapes)

1/4 cup flour (all purpose / plain)

1 1/2 cups chicken broth/stock (, warmed)

2 cups milk (, warmed, any fat %)

1 large garlic clove (, minced)

2 tbsp / 30g unsalted butter (, recommended but optional)

1 large broccoli (or 2 medium broccoli or cauliflower, broken into small to medium florets, Note 2 for subs)

1 1/2 cups (tightly packed) shredded cheddar or colby cheese (or tasty cheese, pizza mix etc, Note 3)

Directions

Preheat oven to 200°C/390°F (180°C fan-forced).

Sprinkle chicken with salt (be generous), pepper and thyme, toss to coat.

Spread pasta in a 23 x 33cm / 9 x 13" baking dish. Sprinkle flour all across the surface (don't dump in clump else it won't dissolve). Pour over milk and broth, add garlic and butter. Stir.

Spread chicken over the top, then broccoli.

Cover with foil, bake for 15 minutes (or 20 minutes if milk & broth were cold).

Remove foil, STIR WELL. Add most of the cheese, then STIR WELL again. Top with remaining cheese.

Return to oven. Bake for 15 - 20 minutes until top is golden and sauce is thickened (See note 4 for troubleshooting).

Stand for a few minutes then serve immediately!

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 363 g
• Calories: 348 kcal