Description
Rich Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Bake blends Italian comfort with creamy, cheesy goodness. Simple ingredients create a hearty meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2–3 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, diced
- 1 ½ cups (150 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup (100 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne, rigatoni, or rotini)
- 2 ½ cups (600 ml) milk (whole or 2%)
- 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsps butter
- 3 tbsps all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Bring salted water to a rolling boil and cook pasta until perfectly al dente. Drain and set aside, preserving the pasta’s ideal texture.
- Chicken Transformation: Heat olive oil in a large skillet, introduce diced chicken with salt and pepper. Sauté until golden and thoroughly cooked, creating a flavorful protein base.
- Aromatic Foundation: In the same skillet, melt butter and add minced garlic, releasing its intense fragrance. Sprinkle flour to create a smooth, velvety roux that will anchor the sauce.
- Sauce Alchemy: Slowly pour milk and chicken broth into the skillet, whisking constantly to develop a luxurious, creamy consistency. Simmer until the sauce thickens and becomes silky smooth.
- Flavor Elevation: Incorporate Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and Parmesan cheese into the sauce. Stir until the mixture becomes uniformly rich and well-integrated, adjusting seasonings as needed.
- Culinary Assembly: Combine cooked chicken and pasta within the creamy sauce, ensuring every morsel is lavishly coated. Transfer the decadent mixture to a prepared baking dish.
- Cheese Crescendo: Liberally distribute mozzarella and additional Parmesan across the top, creating an enticing golden-brown cheese blanket.
- Oven Transformation: Bake in a preheated oven until the cheese melts into a bubbling, molten masterpiece with crispy edges, approximately 20-25 minutes.
- Final Flourish: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately, accompanied by a crisp green salad or crusty garlic bread to complete this comforting culinary experience.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection: Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness, as it will continue cooking during baking.
- Chicken Browning Technique: Ensure chicken is golden and fully cooked before removing from skillet to develop rich, caramelized flavor.
- Sauce Smoothness Hack: Whisk continuously when adding milk and broth to prevent lumps and create a silky, creamy sauce.
- Cheese Melting Tip: Let cheese completely melt and bubble for maximum flavor and attractive golden-brown top, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg