Description
Comfort meets culinary delight in this garlic parmesan chicken pasta bake, where creamy textures and bold flavors dance together. Hearty ingredients combine to create a satisfying meal that promises warmth and satisfaction with each forkful you savor.
Ingredients
Scale
main ingredients:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 16 oz pasta (penne or rotini)
- 2 cups parmesan cheese
- 4 cloves garlic
dairy and sauce:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup butter
herbs and seasonings:
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and generously grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving a small amount of pasta water.
- Season chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, dried basil, and dried oregano. Sear in a hot skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 6-7 minutes per side.
- Slice the cooked chicken into thin strips or bite-sized pieces.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together heavy cream, milk, sour cream, and minced garlic to create a creamy sauce.
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, gently stirring to ensure complete coating. If the mixture seems too thick, incorporate a small amount of reserved pasta water.
- Fold in the sliced chicken and half of the parmesan cheese, mixing thoroughly to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Transfer the pasta and chicken mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out in an even layer.
- Sprinkle the remaining parmesan cheese over the top, creating a generous coverage.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow the sauce to set.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Customize chicken seasoning by experimenting with different herb blends like Italian or Cajun mixes for varied flavor profiles.
- Keep pasta slightly undercooked during initial boiling since it will continue cooking in the oven, preventing mushy texture.
- Use rotisserie chicken as a time-saving alternative for faster meal preparation without compromising taste.
- Swap heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk for lighter, lower-calorie version while maintaining creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 750
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 41 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg