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Ultimate Creamy Chicken and Bacon Rigatoni Bake

Ultimate Creamy Chicken and Bacon Rigatoni Bake

with Cheddar Cheese and Tenderstem® Broccoli
Emma Blanchet
Emma BlanchetUpdated on April 30, 2026
Calories
1141 kcal
Protein
67g protein
Total
45 minutes
Difficulty
Easy
Allergens:
  • Milk
  • Cereals containing gluten
  • Egg
Produced in a facility that processes eggs, milk, fish, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, and wheat.
serving amount

150

Tenderstem® Broccoli

40

Mature Cheddar Cheese

(Contains: Milk)

3

Garlic Clove

180

Rigatoni Pasta

(Contains: Cereals containing gluten)

260

Diced Chicken Breast

60

British Smoked Bacon Lardons

10

Chicken Stock Paste

150

Creme Fraiche

(Contains: Milk)

40

Grated Hard Italian Style Cheese

(Contains: Milk, Egg)

Not included in your delivery

30

Butter

30

Flour

250

Water for the Sauce

Energy (kcal)1141 kcal
Energy (kJ)4775 kJ
Fat59.2 g
of which saturates33.8 g
Carbohydrate84.3 g
of which sugars7.6 g
Protein67 g
Salt3 g
Due to the different suppliers we purchase our products from, nutritional facts per meal can vary from the website to what is received in the delivered box, depending on your region.
Garlic Press
Grater
Medium Saucepan
Colander
Grill Pan
Baking Dish
Kettle

Instructions

Cook the Pasta
1

Preheat your grill to high. Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil with 1/2 tsp salt for the rigatoni.
Halve any thick broccoli stems lengthways. Grate the cheese. Peel and grate the garlic (or use a garlic press).
When boiling, add the rigatoni to the water and bring back to the boil. Cook until tender, 12 mins.
Once cooked, drain in a colander and pop back in the pan. Drizzle with oil and stir through to stop it sticking together.

Fry the Chicken and Bacon
2

Meanwhile, heat a drizzle of oil in a large frying pan on medium-high heat.
Once hot, add the diced chicken and season with salt and pepper. Fry until golden brown on the outside and cooked through, 8-10 mins.
Halfway through, add the bacon lardons to the pan and stir-fry until golden, 4-5 mins.
Once cooked, transfer the chicken and bacon to a plate. IMPORTANT: Wash your hands and equipment after handling raw meat and its packaging. The chicken is cooked when no longer pink in the middle. Cook lardons thoroughly.

Make your Roux
3

Pop the (now empty) frying pan back on medium-high and melt in the butter (see pantry for amount).
Once melted, stir in the garlic and cook for 1 min, then stir in the flour (see pantry for amount).
Cook until it forms a paste, 1-2 mins - you've made a roux!

Sauce Things Up
4

Stir in the water for the sauce (see pantry for amount) a little at a time, followed by the chicken stock paste. Bring to the boil, then stir and simmer until thickened, 1-2 mins.
Mix in the creme fraiche and both cheeses. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed.
Stir the pasta, chicken and bacon into the sauce. Cook until piping hot, 1-2 mins, then transfer to a baking dish.
Meanwhile, boil a half-full kettle.

Bring on the Broccoli
5

Grill your pasta bake until golden and crispy, 6-8 mins.
Meanwhile, pour the boiled water into the (now empty) saucepan with 1/2 tsp salt on high heat.
Bring back to the boil, then add the broccoli and cook until just tender, 3-5 mins.
Once cooked, drain in a colander, then return to the saucepan. Drizzle with a little oil and season with salt and pepper if you'd like.

Finish and Serve
6

When everything is ready, plate up your ultimate chicken and bacon rigatoni bake with the broccoli alongside.
Enjoy!

Customer reviews

Review summary

Updated on Feb 2026
  • Flavour: Many enjoyed the creamy, cheesy sauce, though some found it too rich or overpowering.
  • Ease of prep: While some found it quick and easy, others noted it was involved and required effort to keep the sauce smooth.
  • Suggestions: Consider reducing cheese quantity, adding more vegetables like onions and peppers, or incorporating the broccoli into the bake.
  • Portions: Generous servings satisfied most diners; some found it filling enough to feed extra people.
AI-generated from customer reviews

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