Description
Creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta bake brings comfort and flavor to your dinner table with its rich, cheesy blend of tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta. Comfort meets culinary delight in this easy-to-prepare, crowd-pleasing dish you’ll want to savor again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 oz parmesan cheese
Pasta and Base:
- 16 oz penne pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 6 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and generously grease a large rectangular baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Dice the chicken breasts into uniform bite-sized cubes, ensuring consistent cooking and texture.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then sauté the chicken pieces until golden brown and fully cooked, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- Simultaneously, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook penne pasta until it reaches al dente consistency, typically 8-10 minutes.
- Mince garlic cloves finely and sauté them briefly in the same skillet used for chicken to release their aromatic flavors.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together heavy cream, chicken broth, salt, black pepper, and dried oregano to create a rich, creamy sauce.
- Drain the pasta and return it to the pot, then fold in the cooked chicken, garlic-infused sauce, and half of the grated parmesan cheese.
- Transfer the pasta and chicken mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese, remaining parmesan, and breadcrumbs across the top of the dish for a crispy, golden crust.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the cheese melts and turns slightly golden and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving for a burst of color and fresh flavor.
Notes
- Uniform chicken cutting ensures even cooking and prevents dry or undercooked spots in your pasta bake.
- Toast breadcrumbs separately before sprinkling to enhance their golden crispiness and add extra crunch to the dish.
- Swap heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk for a lighter version without compromising creamy texture.
- Fresh herbs like basil or thyme can replace dried oregano for more vibrant, garden-fresh flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 682
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 749 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 61 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 139 mg