Make a comforting, cheesy chicken and pasta bake in one pot. This recipe uses simple steps to deliver rich garlic parmesan flavor quickly, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Author:zoe-thompson
Prep Time:10 min
Cook Time:25 min
Total Time:35 min
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Dinner
Method:Stovetop
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups chicken broth
12 ounces penne pasta
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional, for topping)
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Season the chicken pieces lightly with salt and pepper.
Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let it burn.
Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Add the penne pasta and Italian seasoning. Stir well.
Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and simmer for about 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is almost tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Return the cooked chicken to the pot.
Continue to cook uncovered for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and coats the pasta and chicken.
Remove the pot from the heat. If using, sprinkle the top with mozzarella cheese and a little extra Parmesan. Cover the pot for 5 minutes to allow the cheese to melt.
Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
For a richer sauce, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
You can substitute chicken with shrimp or use only vegetables for a vegetarian option.
This recipe works well in a slow cooker if you cook the pasta separately and combine everything at the end.