Description
Creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta bake brings comfort and flavor to weeknight dinners with its rich, cheesy goodness. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, promising a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cubed)
Cheese:
- 1 cup parmesan cheese (grated)
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
Pasta and Base:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) pasta (penne or rigatoni)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons flour
Seasonings:
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375°F, preparing a baking dish for the pasta ensemble.
- Cook pasta in salted water until al dente, then thoroughly drain and set aside.
- Season chicken cubes with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, then sauté in olive oil until golden brown and fully cooked.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until aromatic, releasing its rich flavor.
- Sprinkle flour into the garlic butter, stirring constantly to create a smooth roux and prevent burning.
- Slowly pour chicken broth and heavy cream into the skillet, whisking continuously to develop a creamy, luxurious sauce.
- Incorporate grated parmesan cheese, stirring until completely melted and sauce becomes silky.
- Transfer cooked pasta and seared chicken into the prepared baking dish, coating evenly with the garlic parmesan sauce.
- Generously scatter shredded mozzarella across the top, ensuring complete coverage.
- Bake for 20 minutes until cheese transforms into a bubbling, golden-brown crust.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately while hot and fragrant.
Notes
- Optimize chicken tenderness by using chicken breasts or thighs cut into uniform cubes for even cooking and consistent texture.
- Enhance sauce creaminess by using room temperature heavy cream and freshly grated parmesan for smoother blending and richer flavor profile.
- Customize the dish for gluten-sensitive diets by substituting regular flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend without compromising sauce consistency.
- Boost nutritional value by adding roasted vegetables like spinach, broccoli, or bell peppers directly into the pasta bake for extra color and nutrients.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg