Description
Garlic parmesan chicken pasta bake delivers comfort and flavor in one irresistible dish. Creamy cheese, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked pasta create a weeknight dinner masterpiece you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup parmesan cheese
Pasta and Base:
- 16 oz penne pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups chicken broth
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 6 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a large baking dish by lightly greasing it with olive oil.
- Dice the chicken breasts into bite-sized cubes, seasoning thoroughly with salt, black pepper, and dried oregano.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sauté the chicken until golden brown and nearly cooked through, approximately 6-7 minutes.
- Mince the garlic cloves and sauté them briefly in the same skillet until fragrant, releasing their aromatic essence.
- Cook the penne pasta in a separate pot of salted water until it reaches al dente consistency, typically 8-9 minutes, then drain and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, combine heavy cream, chicken broth, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and half of the parmesan cheese, whisking until smooth.
- Layer the cooked pasta in the prepared baking dish, followed by the sautéed chicken pieces, then pour the creamy sauce evenly over the top.
- Sprinkle the remaining parmesan and mozzarella cheeses across the surface, creating a rich, melty coating.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and slightly golden around the edges.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving, adding a burst of color and fresh herbaceous flavor.
Notes
- Boost protein content by adding extra chicken or swapping with rotisserie chicken for quicker preparation.
- Make this dish gluten-free by using alternative pasta like chickpea or zucchini noodles, ensuring a lighter texture.
- Reduce calorie intake by substituting heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt for a healthier alternative.
- Create a vegetarian version by replacing chicken with roasted vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms for added nutrition and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 598
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 785 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 44 g
- Cholesterol: 139 mg