My High Protein Alfredo Chicken Broccoli Bake is the cozy, creamy dinner you'll want in your meal prep rotation! Made in one dish and freezer-friendly for quick, balanced meals.
This High Protein Alfredo Chicken Broccoli Bake is my answer to craving something creamy and nostalgic while still keeping things balanced and weeknight-friendly. Classic chicken Alfredo is a favourite of mine, but I wanted a higher-protein version that reheats well and doesn't require multiple dishes, and this recipe does exactly that!
I've really been leaning into freezer-friendly meals lately because they make busy weeks so much smoother. If you've tried my Sausage Pasta Bake, you know how satisfying it is to pull a full dinner out of the freezer and have it taste just as good as when it was made fresh. This chicken broccoli bake follows the same idea! Prep it once, freeze it, and enjoy it again for lunches or dinners without any extra work.
Why This Recipe Is Dietitian Approved
- Meal prep friendly. This recipe freezes and reheats perfectly, making it ideal for busy schedules.
- Made in one dish. This pasta bake comes together in one dish saving you a messy cleanup! Is there anything better?
- Balanced meal. A mix of protein, carbohydrates, and veggies for a satisfying and complete lunch or dinner.
High Protein Alfredo Chicken Broccoli Bake Recipe
Ingredients
Chicken. Boneless, skinless chicken breast is our main protein of choice. Bake the chicken prior to adding it to the casserole dish. You may also use rotisserie chicken for ease!
Orzo. Orzo is the perfect small pasta for this dish! Choosing a pasta shape that is too large will result in improper cooking.
Broccoli. Our vegetable of choice! Broccoli pairs perfectly with chicken Alfredo!
Chicken broth. Look for a low sodium option if available to you.
Cottage cheese. I recommend using 4% cottage cheese for best results! The cottage cheese adds creaminess to the sauce, and a lower fat variety will result in a thinner sauce.
Cheese. Parmesan and mozzarella come together in this easy dish!
Spices. Salt, black pepper, garlic powder and paprika are the only pieces you need!
Shallot. For added flavour without being overpowering.
The complete ingredient list with measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425F and grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish.
- In a high powered blender combine chicken broth, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, paprika (if using) and cottage cheese. Blend until smooth.
- To the dish add cooked chicken, dry orzo, shallot, chopped broccoli and parmesan cheese. Cover with the sauce and stir to combine.ensure all of the orzo, chicken and broccoli is full covered by the sauce. Cover with foil and bake for about 30-35 minutes.
- After the orzo is cooked, remove the foil, top with mozzarella, parsley and red pepper flakes and bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese is melted. Allow to cool fully before placing in the fridge or freezer.
Substitutions and Variations
To make gluten-free: Use gluten free orzo if desired - the brand Jovial has one!
To make dairy-free: Unfortunately I have not found a suitable dairy free substitute for cottage cheese yet!
To make nut-free: This recipe is naturally gluten free.
Orzo can be replaced with any small pasta such as Ditali, I do not recommend substituting with large pasta shapes as they will not be fully submerged in the liquid!
Cooked chicken can be replaced with any cooked meat of choice if you prefer.
Equipment
- High-powered blender
- Meal prep containers (Bentgo has great steel meal prep containers now)!
Storage
This Alfredo Chicken Broccoli Bake can be stored in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
For freezer storage: I recommend baking in a foil pan. Allow the dish to cool fully before covering and freezing.
To reheat: Defrost in the fridge overnight before reheating at 350F for about 20 minutes covered with tinfoil, before removing and making for another 10 minutes. Or microwave individual portions.
Top Tips for Success
Cut the broccoli up nice and small! Large broccoli florets will stand out in the dish, instead dice the florets up into small pieces that will mix seamlessly with the other ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes you can! Combine the ingredients with the sauce and freeze- I recommend adding the mozzarella when you are baking it. Cover with foil and bake from frozen at 425F for about 45- 60 minutes- in the last 10 minutes, add the mozzarella.
More Staple Easy Dinner Recipes
If you liked this Alfredo Chicken Broccoli Bake, try these recipes:
- High Protein Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli
- One Pan Lazy Enchilada Skillet
- Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
- Inside Out Egg Roll Bowls
See you in the kitchen!
PS. I love seeing my recipes in action! If you decide to make this Alfredo Chicken Broccoli Bake, don't forget to snap a photo and tag me on Instagram- @nourishedbynic or leave a comment and rating below letting me know how you liked it!
📖 Recipe
High Protein Alfredo Chicken Broccoli Bake
Ingredients
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- pinch paprika, optional- it will add flavour but will also change the colour slightly
- 1 cup full fat cottage cheese
- 1 lb cooked and shredded chicken breast (or rotisserie chicken)
- 1 cup dry orzo
- 1 shallot, diced
- 1 head broccoli, chopped small
- ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese
- ¾ cup mozzarella, shredded
- parsley and red pepper flakes, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425F and grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish.
- In a high powered blender combine chicken broth, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, paprika (if using) and cottage cheese. Blend until smooth.
- To the dish add cooked chicken, dry orzo, shallot, chopped broccoli and parmesan cheese. Cover with the sauce and stir to combine.ensure all of the orzo, chicken and broccoli is full covered by the sauce. Cover with foil and bake for about 30-35 minutes.
- After the orzo is cooked, remove the foil, top with mozzarella, parsley and red pepper flakes and bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese is melted. Allow to cool fully before placing in the fridge or freezer.
Notes
- For a saucy-er option I recommend doubling the sauce and mixing half in after baking!
Emily says
Super delicious and simple! The initial recommended liquid / sauce wasn’t enough for us, so in future I would double the sauce recipe, use 3/4 of it for the initial bake and then the last 1/4 at the end!