Description
Indulge in the comforting flavors of this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Bake, a creamy and cheesy dish that’s perfect for a family dinner. Tender chicken in a rich garlic Parmesan sauce, combined with penne pasta and topped with melty mozzarella, this baked pasta dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Pasta:
- 12 oz penne pasta
Chicken:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
Sauce:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Additional:
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook pasta: Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Cook chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil, add chicken pieces, season, and cook until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Make sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter, add garlic, stir in flour, then whisk in milk and cream until thickened. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted.
- Combine and bake: Toss chicken in sauce, mix with pasta, pour into baking dish, top with mozzarella, and bake for 20–25 minutes.
- Garnish: Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Add steamed broccoli or spinach for extra veggies.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
