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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Initiate oven warming to 375°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking vessel with light greasing.
- Execute pasta cooking in generously salted boiling water until perfectly tender, then drain and reserve.
- Activate a skillet with olive oil over medium thermal intensity. Infuse diced chicken with aromatic seasonings, searing until golden and thoroughly cooked through.
- 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.
- Gradually cascade heavy cream and milk into the skillet, maintaining continuous whisk motion to prevent textural inconsistencies. Allow sauce to gently simmer and thicken.
- Integrate cheese varieties, complementary spices, and optional pepper flakes, stirring until a harmonious, velvety sauce emerges.
- Marry cooked pasta and chicken within the sauce, ensuring comprehensive coating, then transfer the luxurious mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Lavish the surface with additional cheese selections and optional crispy panko breadcrumbs for textural contrast.
- 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.
- 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