Description
Garlic parmesan chicken pasta bake brings together creamy comfort and bold Italian flavors in one irresistible dish. Cheesy layers of tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and rich parmesan create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 2 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 1 ½ cups (150 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
Pasta and Base:
- 12 ounces (340 g) pasta (penne, rigatoni, or rotini)
- 2 ½ cups (600 ml) milk (whole milk or 2%)
- 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Seasonings and Garnish:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Initiate pasta preparation by boiling salted water and cooking pasta until perfectly tender, ensuring an al dente texture. Thoroughly drain and reserve.
- In a spacious skillet, warm olive oil and introduce diced chicken. Season generously with salt and pepper, sautéing until golden and completely cooked through, approximately 5-7 minutes. Extract chicken from pan and set aside.
- Utilize the same skillet to melt butter, then introduce minced garlic. Gently sauté until aromatic and fragrant.
- Incorporate flour into the butter-garlic mixture, whisking diligently to create a smooth roux. This foundational step ensures a luxurious sauce consistency.
- Gradually stream milk and chicken broth into the skillet, continuously whisking to prevent luminal formation. Allow the mixture to simmer and thicken for approximately 5 minutes.
- Enhance the sauce by stirring in Italian seasoning, optional red pepper flakes, and a generous portion of Parmesan cheese. Blend until achieving a silky, uniform texture. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Reunite cooked chicken and pasta within the creamy sauce, ensuring thorough and even coating. Transfer the decadent mixture into a prepared baking dish.
- Artfully distribute mozzarella and remaining Parmesan cheese across the top, creating an enticing cheese blanket.
- Position the dish in a preheated oven, baking until cheese transforms into a molten, bubbling masterpiece, roughly 20-25 minutes.
- Conclude by adorning with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately, accompanied by a crisp green salad or crusty garlic bread for a complete culinary experience.
Notes
- Choose high-quality Parmesan cheese for maximum flavor, preferably freshly grated over pre-packaged options.
- Prevent pasta from becoming mushy by cooking it slightly under al dente since it will continue cooking in the oven.
- Pat chicken dry before seasoning to achieve better golden-brown searing and enhanced caramelization.
- Customize this dish by swapping chicken with shrimp, ground turkey, or plant-based protein for dietary preferences.
- Control sauce thickness by adjusting milk and broth quantities – add more liquid for a thinner consistency, reduce for a thicker sauce.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium chicken broth and monitoring salt additions during seasoning stages.
- Make ahead by preparing the entire dish and refrigerating, then baking when ready to serve – add 10-15 minutes to baking time.
- Enhance protein content by incorporating additional vegetables like spinach, broccoli, or bell peppers into the pasta mixture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 675
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 48 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg