Description
Garlic chicken pasta bake brings soul-warming comfort straight from Italian kitchens to dinner tables. Rich cheese blankets tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta, creating a hearty meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
- 3 cups cooked pasta (penne, rotini, or your choice)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Liquid and Creamy Ingredients:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Seasonings and Toppings:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (optional for topping)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Warm the culinary workspace by heating the oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a 9×13 inch baking vessel with a light coating of oil to prevent sticking.
- Select a spacious skillet and drizzle olive oil across its surface. Introduce minced garlic, allowing it to dance and release its aromatic essence for approximately 1-2 minutes.
- Elevate the flavor profile by incorporating Italian seasoning, velvety heavy cream, and savory chicken broth. Allow the mixture to gently simmer, transforming into a luxurious, slightly thickened sauce over 5-7 minutes.
- Integrate shredded Parmesan, stirring until completely dissolved. Calibrate the taste with salt and pepper, then temporarily remove from heat.
- Consolidate cooked pasta and tender shredded chicken in a generously sized mixing bowl. Cascade the fragrant garlic Parmesan sauce, thoroughly coating each ingredient.
- Gracefully transfer the pasta medley into the prepared baking dish. Lavishly distribute mozzarella cheese across the surface. Optional: Create a crisp topping by mixing breadcrumbs with a whisper of olive oil and sprinkling over the cheese layer.
- Introduce the dish to the preheated oven, allowing it to transform for 20-25 minutes until the cheese bubbles and achieves a golden-brown complexion.
- Finalize the presentation by scattering fresh parsley, then serve immediately to capture maximum flavor and warmth.
Notes
- Customize your chicken by using rotisserie chicken for a quick time-saving option that adds extra flavor and reduces cooking steps.
- Swap heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk to create a lighter version of this creamy pasta bake that’s lower in calories.
- Transform this dish into a gluten-free meal by using gluten-free pasta and ensuring all other ingredients are gluten-free certified.
- Create a vegetarian alternative by replacing chicken with roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms for a hearty plant-based version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 660
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg