Description
Creamy Baked Penne with Chicken delights pasta enthusiasts with its perfect blend of tender chicken, crisp broccoli, and melted mozzarella. Comfort meets culinary excellence in this hearty dish that promises warm satisfaction with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Proteins:
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3 ounces smoked mozzarella (or regular mozzarella)
Starches and Vegetables:
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1.5 pounds broccoli
- 1 medium onion
- 6 garlic cloves
- 8-ounce jar oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
Seasonings and Liquid Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
Topping:
- ¾ cup bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light coating of grease.
- Boil water in a large pot, add salt, and blanch broccoli for 1 minute until vibrant green. Remove and set aside.
- Reboil the water and cook pasta until slightly undercooked, about 1-2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and toss with olive oil.
- In the same pot, sauté onions over medium heat until softened and developing golden edges, approximately 5 minutes.
- Incorporate garlic and thyme, stirring until aromatic, roughly 30 seconds.
- Sprinkle flour, salt, and pepper into the pot, whisking continuously for 1 minute. Gradually introduce chicken broth and cream, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Add chicken and cook, stirring periodically, until completely done, around 6-7 minutes.
- Fold in sun-dried tomatoes and mozzarella, then gently mix with cooked pasta and broccoli until evenly distributed.
- Transfer the creamy mixture to the prepared baking dish, scatter bread crumb topping evenly across the surface.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the top turns golden and the edges bubble with savory promise.
Notes
- Prep Broccoli Perfectly by blanching quickly to maintain its vibrant green color and crisp texture without overcooking.
- Choose Chicken Wisely by using boneless, skinless breasts or pre-cooked rotisserie chicken for faster preparation and consistent tenderness.
- Customize Cheese Options by substituting mozzarella with provolone or fontina for different flavor profiles and creamy textures.
- Make It Gluten-Free by replacing regular pasta with gluten-free penne and using cornstarch instead of wheat flour for the sauce thickening.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg