Description
A rich and comforting pasta bake featuring tender chicken, creamy garlic Parmesan sauce, and baked to golden perfection with melted cheese.
Ingredients
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- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 chicken breasts, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced chicken and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add butter and garlic. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Gradually add milk and cream, whisking constantly until smooth and thickened.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until cheese is melted and sauce is creamy.
- Add cooked pasta and chicken to the sauce. Stir to combine.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute rotisserie chicken for quicker preparation.
- Add steamed broccoli or spinach for added nutrition.
- Use gluten-free pasta and flour for a gluten-free version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg