Description
Creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta bake brings comfort straight from Italian kitchens to dinner tables. Melted cheese, tender chicken, and rich sauce create a hearty meal that embraces home cooking with elegant simplicity.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 lbs chicken breasts
- 1 cup parmesan cheese
Pasta and Base:
- 16 oz penne pasta
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 6 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
Optional Extras:
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and generously grease a large baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook penne pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes, then drain and set aside.
- Season chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, and dried oregano, ensuring even coverage.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 6-7 minutes per side.
- Remove chicken from skillet, let rest for 5 minutes, then slice into bite-sized pieces.
- In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic until fragrant and lightly golden, releasing its aromatic essence.
- Pour heavy cream and milk into the skillet, stirring continuously to create a smooth, velvety sauce.
- Incorporate grated parmesan cheese into the cream sauce, whisking until fully melted and integrated.
- Combine cooked pasta, sliced chicken, and cream sauce in the baking dish, ensuring even distribution.
- Sprinkle breadcrumbs and additional parmesan cheese over the top for a crispy, golden crust.
- Optional: Scatter shredded mozzarella cheese for extra melty richness.
- Dot the surface with small butter pieces to enhance browning and flavor.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden and sauce is bubbling.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving for a vibrant, fresh finish.
Notes
- Meal Prep Magic: Slice and cook chicken in advance to significantly reduce overall preparation time.
- Gluten-Free Hack: Replace regular pasta with gluten-free penne and use gluten-free breadcrumbs for a celiac-friendly version.
- Protein Power: Swap chicken with grilled tofu or shredded rotisserie chicken for versatile protein options.
- Cream Sauce Rescue: If sauce appears too thick, gradually thin with reserved pasta water or extra milk until desired consistency is reached.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 750
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg