Baked Feta & Tomato Pasta with Chicken & Broccoli
Ingredients
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes
- 1 head broccoli, cut into florets
- 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch to 1½-inch cubes
- 1 8-ounce block feta cheese, preferably packed in water or brine
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound dried pasta of choice, such as cavatappi
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 handful fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
Heat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Fill the Baking Dish: Rinse the cherry tomatoes and place them in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Cut the broccoli into bite-sized florets, discarding the tough stems, and add it to the dish.
Add the Chicken and Feta: Cut the chicken into 1-inch to 1½-inch cubes. Add the chicken to the baking dish and mix it with the tomatoes and broccoli. Place the block of feta in the center.
Season and Bake: Drizzle everything with the olive oil and sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Bake for 35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the tomatoes have softened and released their juices.
Cook the Pasta: While the feta mixture bakes, prepare the pasta according to the package instructions. Reserve a little pasta water before draining in case the sauce needs loosening.
Finish the Sauce: When the baking dish comes out of the oven, sprinkle the minced garlic and chopped basil over the hot feta mixture. Stir well, using the liquid in the dish and the softened feta to create a creamy sauce.
Toss and Serve: Add the drained pasta to the baking dish and toss until everything is coated. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water. Serve warm.
A One-Pan Pasta Dinner
Baked feta pasta works because the oven does most of the sauce-making for you. The cherry tomatoes soften and burst, the feta warms into a creamy center, and the olive oil helps bring everything together once the dish is stirred. Adding chicken and broccoli turns the viral-style pasta into a full dinner without needing a separate protein or vegetable.
The garlic and basil go in after baking so they stay bright. The heat from the dish takes the raw edge off the garlic while keeping its flavor fresh, and the basil gives the creamy tomato-feta sauce a clean finish.
Serving Ideas
This pasta is hearty enough on its own, but it pairs well with a crisp green salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables. If you want to keep dinner simple, serve it straight from the baking dish with extra basil and black pepper at the table.
For drinks, a bright white wine, sparkling water with lemon, or iced tea all work nicely against the salty feta and roasted tomatoes. Leftovers also make a good lunch because the pasta holds the sauce well.
Variations
Cavatappi is a great choice because the curls catch the sauce, but penne, rotini, bow ties, or rigatoni would all work. You can also swap the chicken breasts for boneless chicken thighs if you prefer a juicier, richer result.
For more vegetables, add sliced zucchini, bell pepper, or a handful of spinach at the end. For a little heat, sprinkle in red pepper flakes before baking or add a spoonful of chili crisp when serving. If you want the sauce creamier, stir in a splash of pasta water or a spoonful of Greek yogurt after baking.
Ingredient Notes
Feta packed in brine or water tends to melt into the sauce more smoothly than pre-crumbled feta, which can be drier. Fresh garlic and basil give the best flavor, but jarred minced garlic and dried basil are useful shortcuts.
Use ½ teaspoon jarred minced garlic for each fresh garlic clove. Use 1 teaspoon dried basil for each tablespoon of fresh chopped basil. Since dried basil is more concentrated and less delicate, add it before baking rather than at the end.
Make-Ahead and Leftovers
This dish is best right after the pasta is tossed with the sauce, but you can prep the broccoli and chicken ahead of time. Keep them refrigerated until you are ready to assemble the baking dish.
Reheat leftovers gently with a splash of water, broth, or milk to loosen the sauce. The pasta will absorb some of the liquid as it sits, so a little extra moisture helps bring it back.
