It’s hard to beat this Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Noodle Casserole. Think broccoli cheddar soup meets cozy weeknight casserole. It’s made entirely in one pot and comes together in less than an hour. Made with chicken, short-cut pasta, herbs, and lots of broccoli. Cook everything together in a big skillet, add cheese, and finish this off in the oven. Simple, but so delicious. The perfect weeknight chicken casserole!
Like clockwork, September hits, and I’m back to sharing more casseroles. For me, September is all about transitioning into a more cozy lifestyle. With school starting and the days getting shorter, it means crisp fall crisp days are just ahead.
Even though our summer was short and I didn’t want it to end. There’s probably not a month I love more than September. Our weather is perfect, there’s so much excitement for the season ahead, and I can finally share the recipes I really love most. The cozy recipes.
🛒 Ingredients
▢ 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (4 pts)
▢ 1 yellow onion, chopped (0 pts)
▢ 2 carrots, chopped (0 pts)
▢ 3/4 lb boneless chicken breasts, cut into cubes (0 pts)
▢ 1 tsp garlic powder (0 pts)
▢ Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste (0 pts)
▢ 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves (0 pts)
▢ 1 tsp paprika (0 pts)
▢ 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, to taste (0 pts)
▢ 2 cups low sodium chicken broth (0 pts)
▢ 1 1/2 cups fat-free milk (1 pt)
▢ 1/2 lb (8 oz / 225g) short cut pasta (22 pts)
▢ 5-6 cups broccoli florets, roughly chopped (0 pts)
▢ 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese (4 pts)
▢ 1 1/2 cups reduced-fat (light) cheddar cheese, shredded (11 pts)
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Sauté the Veggies & Chicken
1 Heat the olive oil in a large, deep, oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
2 Add the chopped onion and carrots. Cook for 4–5 minutes until soft.
3 Stir in the diced chicken breasts, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the chicken is lightly browned on the outside.
2. Season & Add Liquid
1 Turn the heat down to medium. Add the thyme, paprika, and cayenne pepper directly to the chicken and veggies. Stir for 30 seconds until fragrant.
2 Pour in the chicken broth and fat-free milk. Bring the liquid to a gentle boil.
3. Simmer Pasta & Heavy Broccoli
1 Stir the raw, dry pasta into the skillet.
2 Reduce heat to medium-low, cover with a lid, and simmer for about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3 Open the lid and add all the broccoli florets (it will look like a lot, but it will shrink). Cover again and simmer for another 3–4 minutes until the pasta is done and the broccoli is tender-crisp.
4. Cheese & Bake
1 Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
2 Turn off the stovetop heat. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and half of the reduced-fat cheddar (3/4 cup) until completely melted into a creamy sauce.
3 Top evenly with the remaining reduced-fat cheddar.
4 Bake for 10–12 minutes until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.