Description

Creamy Baked Chicken Alfredo Pasta is a comforting and indulgent dish featuring tender chicken breasts, al dente pasta, and a rich homemade Alfredo sauce baked to golden perfection. This easy-to-make casserole combines sautéed garlic-infused chicken and a luscious blend of heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and butter, all baked together for a satisfying family meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

2 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
Salt and Pepper to taste
2 tablespoons Olive Oil (or vegetable oil as an alternative)

Pasta

8 ounces Fettuccine or Penne Pasta

Sauce

4 tablespoons Butter
2 cloves Garlic (minced)
1 cup Heavy Cream
1 cup Parmesan Cheese (grated)
1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the pasta casserole.
Cook pasta: Boil salted water and cook the fettuccine or penne pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside to prevent overcooking during baking.
Sauté garlic: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté the minced garlic until it becomes fragrant, releasing its aromatic flavor.
Cook chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until golden brown on both sides ensuring it is cooked through. Remove from heat and slice the chicken into strips for easy mixing.
Prepare Alfredo sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter and stir in the heavy cream. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer. Gradually add the grated Parmesan cheese while stirring continuously until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste.
Combine ingredients: In a baking dish, combine the cooked pasta, sliced chicken, and prepared Alfredo sauce. Mix well to ensure the pasta and chicken are evenly coated with the sauce.
Bake the casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes or until the dish is bubbly and the top is golden brown, signaling it is heated through and ready to serve.

Notes

For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, but the sauce will be less creamy.
You can use leftover roasted chicken instead of cooking fresh chicken breasts.
Feel free to sprinkle extra Parmesan or mozzarella cheese on top before baking for added cheesiness.
Add steamed broccoli or sautéed mushrooms for extra vegetables and flavor.
Ensure pasta is cooked al dente as it will continue to cook in the oven and prevent mushiness.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: Chicken Alfredo, baked pasta, creamy pasta casserole, Italian pasta bake, comfort food, fettuccine Alfredo