Simple Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this garlic parmesan chicken pasta bake delivers comfort straight to your plate.

Rich, cheesy flavors mingle with tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta.

Creamy sauce creates a luxurious backdrop for every delectable bite.

Each forkful promises warmth and satisfaction that makes ordinary meals extraordinary.

Melted parmesan forms a golden crust that adds irresistible texture and depth.

Simple ingredients transform into a restaurant-worthy dish you can easily create at home.

This recipe ensures everyone at the table will ask for seconds.

What Makes Chicken Pasta Bake Comforting

• Crush Kitchen Complexity: Super simple recipe that beginners and experienced cooks can master with ease, requiring minimal cooking skills and basic kitchen techniques.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Delivers classic cheesy, creamy goodness that appeals to all ages, making it perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or casual gatherings with friends.
• One-Pan Dish: Minimizes kitchen cleanup with a streamlined cooking process that transforms a single skillet into a complete meal, reducing dishes and saving precious preparation time.
• Flavor Explosion: Combines rich Parmesan, garlic, and mozzarella with tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta, creating a mouthwatering dish packed with layers of delicious, satisfying flavors.

Chicken Pasta Bake Ingredient List

• Pasta: A comforting base that soaks up the delicious creamy sauce.

• Chicken: Tender meat that brings hearty flavor to the dish.

• Parmesan Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese: Rich, melty cheeses that add creamy goodness.

• Heavy Cream, Milk: Smooth liquid base for the silky sauce.
• Butter: Creates a rich and velvety texture.
• Flour: Helps thicken the sauce perfectly.
• Minced Garlic: Adds a warm, aromatic punch.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Classic flavor enhancers.
• Italian Seasoning: Brings herbal depth to the chicken.
• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Extra layers of savory flavor.
• Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Optional spicy kick.

• Panko Breadcrumbs: Optional crispy topping for extra texture.
• Olive Oil: Used for cooking chicken.
• Chopped Parsley: Fresh garnish for bright color.

Instructions for Garlic Parmesan Bake

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 375°F.

Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a quick spray of cooking oil to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Cook Pasta to Perfection

Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt.

Toss in the pasta and cook until it’s tender but still has a slight bite.

Drain and set aside.

Step 3: Sizzle the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium flame.

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Italian seasoning

Cook the chicken until it turns a gorgeous golden brown and is completely cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.

Transfer to a plate.

Step 4: Create a Magical Garlic Sauce Base

In the same skillet, melt butter and add minced garlic.

Let it dance around for 1-2 minutes until it becomes wonderfully aromatic.

Dust the pan with flour and whisk continuously to create a smooth base.

Step 5: Whip Up the Creamy Sauce

Slowly pour in heavy cream and milk, whisking like crazy to keep everything smooth.

Let the sauce simmer and thicken for 3-4 minutes.

Step 6: Add Cheesy Goodness

• Parmesan cheese
• Mozzarella cheese
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Blend until the cheese melts into a silky sauce.

Step 7: Combine Pasta and Chicken

Toss the cooked pasta and chicken into the creamy sauce.

Make sure everything gets a luxurious coating.

Transfer the entire mixture to the prepared baking dish.

Step 8: Top with Cheesy Crunch

• Remaining mozzarella cheese
• Extra Parmesan
• Panko breadcrumbs (if you're feeling extra)

Step 9: Bake to Bubbly Perfection

Slide the dish into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling.

For a golden crust, flip on the broiler for 2-3 minutes.

Step 10: Rest and Serve

Pull the casserole out and let it rest for 5 minutes.

Shower with chopped parsley and serve while it’s hot and steamy.

Tips for Creamy Chicken Pasta

• Toast panko breadcrumbs in a skillet before sprinkling on top for extra crunch and golden-brown color.
• Whisk continuously when adding cream and milk to prevent lumpy sauce and ensure smooth, creamy texture.
• Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese instead of pre-packaged for richer, more complex taste and better melting quality.
• Substitute chicken with shrimp, turkey, or plant-based alternatives like tofu for diverse dietary preferences.
• Reserve a small amount of pasta water before draining to help maintain moisture and enhance sauce binding if needed.

Storing and Reheating Chicken Bake

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
• Transfer pasta to freezer-safe containers, seal tightly, and freeze for maximum 2 months. Avoid freezing for longer to maintain quality.
• Place pasta in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Add a splash of milk or cream to prevent drying out.
• Reheat individual portions on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Sprinkle extra cheese on top for added moisture and flavor.

Great Sides for Pasta Bakes

• Pair with Crisp Chardonnay: Select a medium-bodied Chardonnay with subtle oak notes to complement the creamy garlic sauce and rich chicken flavors, cutting through the dish's richness.
• Serve with Garlic Herb Focaccia: Create a warm, herbed Italian bread side that echoes the garlic undertones and provides a perfect texture contrast to the creamy pasta bake.
• Match with Fresh Arugula Salad: Prepare a light, peppery arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to balance the heavy, cheesy pasta and add a bright, refreshing element to the meal.
• Enhance with Roasted Vegetable Medley: Roast zucchini, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes with olive oil and herbs to introduce a colorful, nutritious side that adds freshness and texture to the creamy chicken pasta.

Flavor Swaps for Chicken Pasta Bake

• Gluten-Free Chicken Pasta Delight: Replace wheat pasta with gluten-free pasta and use almond flour instead of regular flour for the sauce to create a celiac-friendly version.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Chicken Bake: Swap traditional pasta with roasted cauliflower florets, reducing carbohydrate content while maintaining the creamy, cheesy flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Herbal Chicken Casserole: Substitute heavy cream and cheeses with coconut cream and nutritional yeast, using dairy-free cheese alternatives to accommodate lactose-intolerant individuals.
• Vegetarian Mediterranean Pasta Transformation: Replace chicken with roasted chickpeas or plant-based chicken substitutes, adding sun-dried tomatoes and spinach for extra Mediterranean-inspired flavor complexity.

FAQs

• What are the key seasonings used in this recipe?

The key seasonings include salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and optional crushed red pepper flakes. These spices help enhance the flavor of the chicken and create a well-rounded taste profile.

• Can I use different types of pasta for this dish?

Yes, you can easily substitute the pasta. Penne, fusilli, or rotini work great as alternatives to the original pasta type. Just ensure you cook the pasta al dente to maintain the right texture in the final dish.

• Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely! You can prepare the entire dish ahead of time and refrigerate it before baking. When ready to eat, simply bake it in the oven until heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

• How can I make this recipe lighter?

To create a lighter version, you can use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, choose low-fat milk, use less cheese, and opt for grilled chicken breast instead of pan-seared chicken.

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe

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4.7 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta bake delivers comfort and elegance in one irresistible dish. Packed with rich flavors and cheesy goodness, this recipe promises a delightful meal that will satisfy both family and guests with its hearty, Mediterranean-inspired charm.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced

Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Cooking Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil

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Instructions

1. Initiate oven warming to 375°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking vessel with light greasing.
2. Execute pasta cooking in generously salted boiling water until perfectly tender, then drain and reserve.
3. Activate a skillet with olive oil over medium thermal intensity. Infuse diced chicken with aromatic seasonings, searing until golden and thoroughly cooked through.
4. Within the same skillet, transform butter into a silky medium, introducing minced garlic and allowing its essence to permeate. Incorporate flour to develop a foundational roux, whisking diligently.
5. Gradually cascade heavy cream and milk into the skillet, maintaining continuous whisk motion to prevent textural inconsistencies. Allow sauce to gently simmer and thicken.
6. Integrate cheese varieties, complementary spices, and optional pepper flakes, stirring until a harmonious, velvety sauce emerges.
7. Marry cooked pasta and chicken within the sauce, ensuring comprehensive coating, then transfer the luxurious mixture into the prepared baking dish.
8. Lavish the surface with additional cheese selections and optional crispy panko breadcrumbs for textural contrast.
9. Roast in the preheated oven until cheese transforms into a molten, bubbling landscape. For enhanced visual appeal, briefly activate broiler to create a golden-kissed crust.
10. Extract from oven, allowing a brief resting period to stabilize flavors. Embellish with fresh parsley and serve while warmth remains inviting.

Notes

• Enhance the dish’s creaminess by using freshly grated Parmesan for richer, more complex flavor profiles.
• Prevent pasta from becoming mushy by cooking it slightly under al dente since it will continue cooking in the oven.
• Customize protein options by substituting chicken with shredded rotisserie chicken, turkey, or plant-based alternatives for vegetarian preferences.
• Control spice levels by adjusting red pepper flakes or using smoked paprika for depth without intense heat.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg