About
The creamy deliciousness of this Chicken Pasta Bake can’t be beat! This simple dish spares no expense with chicken and pasta baked in a heavenly homemade Alfredo sauce and topped with crisped cheese. This is a meal that you’ll want to make again and again! Chicken Pasta Bake is savory, hearty, and ready in just 30 minutes, so it feels like a weeknight dinner any day of the week!
Ingredients
- 16 ounces pasta, such as bowtie or elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 1 chicken breast, cubed small
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 3/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for topping
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- parsley, optional, for garnish
Directions
Step 1 -Preheat the oven by turning your broiler on.
Step 2 -Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
Step 3 -Before draining the pasta, reserve 2 cups of the pasta water. This will help thin the sauce later.
Step 4 -Drain the pasta
Step 5 -In a large, cast-iron or oven-proof skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter.
Step 6 -Add the cubed chicken, and cook through, reading 165 degrees F when tested with a meat thermometer, about 5-7 minutes.
Step 7 -Transfer the chicken to a plate.
Step 8 -Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet.
Step 9 -Once the butter has melted, add the heavy cream and whisk it with the butter.
Step 10 -Add the flour and whisk until a thick mixture forms.
Step 11 -Season with salt and pepper.
Step 12 -Add the parmesan cheese.
Step 13 -Continue whisking vigorously until the sauce is quite thick.
Step 14 -Add the reserved pasta water a little at a time to help thin the sauce if it seems too thick.
Step 15 -Add the chicken back to the skillet along with the cooked pasta.
Step 16 -Stir well until the chicken and the pasta are well-coated.
Step 17 -Top the dish with the mozzarella cheese.
Step 18 -Place under the broiler until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Watch it carefully to avoid burning.
Step 19 -Add more of the parmesan to the top and the parsley for garnish.
Step 20 -Serve.
