Easy Chicken Pot Pie Pasta Recipe: Cozy Comfort in Every Bite

Comfort meets creativity in this delightful chicken pot pie pasta that blends two classic favorites into one irresistible dish.

Creamy sauce and tender chicken chunks nestle among perfectly cooked noodles.

Nostalgic flavors from childhood merge with modern culinary innovation.

Hearty ingredients combine to create a meal that feels like a warm hug on a chilly evening.

Layers of rich, velvety goodness promise to satisfy even the pickiest eaters.

Each forkful delivers a symphony of textures and tastes that will have you coming back for seconds.

You won’t be able to resist this comforting masterpiece that brings together the best of both worlds.

What Makes Chicken Pot Pie Pasta A Comfort Favorite

• Comfort Food Champion: This chicken bacon pasta bake delivers pure comfort with its creamy sauce, crispy bacon, and cheesy topping that wraps you in warmth.
• Crowd-Pleasing Performance: Perfect for family dinners or potlucks, this dish satisfies everyone from kids to adults with its irresistible blend of flavors and textures.
• Smart Cooking Strategy: Uses one-skillet technique to minimize cleanup, builds rich flavor layers through bacon drippings, and transforms simple ingredients into a gourmet-style meal.
• Adaptable Culinary Canvas: Easily customizable by swapping proteins, adding different vegetables, or adjusting seasonings to match your taste preferences and pantry contents.

Key Ingredients For Chicken Pot Pie Pasta

• Pasta Shells: Large pasta shells serve as the hearty base for this comforting casserole.
• Chicken: Shredded chicken provides protein and substantial texture to the dish.
• Bacon: Crispy bacon adds a rich, smoky flavor that enhances the overall taste.

• Onions, Carrots, Celery: This classic mirepoix combination creates a flavorful aromatic base for the sauce.
• Frozen Peas: Sweet green peas contribute color and a gentle burst of freshness.

• Chicken Broth: Chicken broth builds depth and richness in the creamy sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Cream creates a smooth, luxurious texture for the sauce.
• Flour: Flour helps thicken the sauce and create a velvety consistency.
• Dried Thyme, Garlic Powder, Salt, Black Pepper: These seasonings provide balanced and complex flavor notes.
• Breadcrumbs, Parmesan Cheese: These ingredients form a golden, crispy topping for the casserole.

How To Make Chicken Pot Pie Pasta At Home

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a large baking dish with cooking spray or butter.

Step 2: Cook Pasta Perfectly

Boil pasta shells in salted water until they reach al dente texture. Drain and set aside, keeping a small amount of pasta water.

Step 3: Crisp the Bacon

Cook diced bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until golden and crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.

Step 4: Sauté Vegetable Base

• Onions
• Carrots
• Celery

Cook until vegetables become tender and slightly translucent, about 5-6 minutes.

Step 5: Create a Smooth Roux

Sprinkle flour over the vegetable mixture, stirring continuously to prevent lumps from forming.

Step 6: Build a Creamy Sauce

• Chicken broth
• Heavy cream

Whisk constantly to create a silky, smooth sauce.

Step 7: Season the Sauce

• Dried thyme
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir to distribute flavors evenly.

Step 8: Combine Protein and Vegetables

• Shredded chicken
• Frozen peas
• Cooked bacon

Simmer for 3-4 minutes until the mixture thickens.

Step 9: Mix Pasta and Sauce

Combine the sauce with cooked pasta shells, ensuring each shell is thoroughly coated.

Step 10: Prepare for Baking

Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.

Step 11: Add Crispy Topping

• Breadcrumbs
• Grated parmesan cheese

Step 12: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the top turns golden brown and edges are bubbling.

Step 13: Rest and Serve

Remove from the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes. This allows the sauce to set and cool slightly before serving.

Tips To Get Chicken Pot Pie Pasta Just Right

• Boost Bacon Flavor: Render bacon slowly to extract maximum flavor, creating a rich base for the sauce that adds depth to every bite.
• Prevent Pasta Clumping: Toss cooked shells with a bit of reserved pasta water to keep them separate and prevent sticking before mixing with the sauce.
• Create Creamy Perfection: Whisk sauce continuously while adding liquids to ensure a smooth, lump-free texture that coats pasta evenly.
• Achieve Crispy Topping: Sprinkle breadcrumbs and cheese right before baking to guarantee a golden, crunchy layer that adds textural contrast.
• Resting Matters: Allow the dish to sit for 5-10 minutes after baking, letting flavors meld and sauce thicken for a more cohesive meal.

Flavor Twists For Chicken Pot Pie Pasta

• Vegetarian Comfort: Replace chicken with firm tofu or plant-based chicken alternatives, using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a meat-free version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular pasta shells with gluten-free pasta shells, use cornstarch instead of flour for thickening, and ensure breadcrumbs are gluten-free.
• Seafood Adaptation: Substitute chicken with cooked shrimp or crab meat, using seafood stock for enhanced flavor and maintaining the creamy sauce consistency.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Replace pasta shells with cauliflower florets or zucchini noodles, reducing carbohydrate content while keeping the rich, creamy sauce intact.

Best Pairings For Chicken Pot Pie Pasta

• Crafting Perfect Flavor Companions
• Uncork a Crisp White Wine: Select a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to cut through the creamy pasta's richness, providing a refreshing counterpoint with its bright, citrusy notes.
• Serve with Zesty Green Salad: Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette, adding a peppery crunch that balances the dish's creamy texture and complements the bacon's smoky flavor.
• Pair with Roasted Garlic Bread: Toast crusty French bread brushed with olive oil and roasted garlic, creating a perfect vehicle for soaking up the luscious, creamy sauce and adding delightful textural contrast.

Storage Tips For Chicken Pot Pie Pasta

• Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent condensation and bacterial growth.
• Pack the dish in a freezer-safe container, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label with the date and contents for easy tracking.
• Place individual portions in a microwave-safe dish. Add a splash of chicken broth or cream to restore moisture. Cover and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warmed.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place leftovers in a baking dish, add a few tablespoons of broth to prevent drying.

Top Questions About Chicken Pot Pie Pasta

• What makes the bacon important in this recipe?

Bacon adds a rich, smoky flavor and provides crispy texture that enhances the overall taste of the chicken pasta dish, creating depth and complexity in every bite.

• Can I substitute ingredients if I don't have everything on hand?

Yes, you can replace chicken with turkey, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, or swap out peas with other vegetables like broccoli or mixed vegetables depending on your preference.

• Why do we create a roux in this recipe?

The roux helps thicken the sauce, creating a smooth and creamy consistency that coats the pasta shells perfectly, ensuring each bite is flavorful and rich.

Embracing Chicken Pot Pie Pasta Recipe

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4.7 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comfort meets innovation in this hearty chicken pot pie pasta, blending classic American casserole flavors with creamy pasta perfection. Savory chicken, tender vegetables, and a rich sauce come together, promising a soul-warming meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 cups shredded chicken
• 1/2 cup diced bacon

Vegetables:

• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1 cup diced celery
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1/2 cup diced onions

Sauce and Pasta:

• 16 oz (450 g) pasta shells
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Topping:

• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a large baking dish by lightly greasing it with cooking spray or butter.
2. Cook pasta shells in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and set aside, reserving a small amount of pasta water.
3. In a large skillet, crisp the diced bacon over medium heat until golden and rendering its fat, then remove and set aside on a paper towel.
4. Using the same skillet with bacon drippings, sauté onions, carrots, and celery until they become tender and slightly translucent, about 5-6 minutes.
5. Sprinkle flour over the vegetable mixture, stirring continuously to create a roux and prevent lumps from forming.
6. Gradually pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, whisking constantly to create a smooth, creamy sauce.
7. Add dried thyme, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to the sauce, stirring to incorporate all seasonings evenly.
8. Fold in shredded chicken, frozen peas, and cooked bacon, allowing the mixture to simmer and thicken for 3-4 minutes.
9. Combine the sauce with cooked pasta shells, ensuring each shell is generously coated and well-mixed.
10. Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
11. Sprinkle breadcrumbs and grated parmesan cheese over the top, creating a golden, crispy topping.
12. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling.
13. Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set and cool slightly.

Notes

• Make this dish gluten-free by substituting all-purpose flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend for thickening the sauce.
• Reduce sodium content by using low-sodium chicken broth and limiting added salt, perfect for heart-healthy diets.
• Create a vegetarian version by replacing chicken and bacon with plant-based protein like tofu or mushrooms, maintaining the creamy texture and rich flavor profile.
• Prep ingredients ahead of time to streamline cooking process, chopping vegetables and measuring spices in advance for quick assembly.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg