Description
Creamy Baked Chicken Alfredo Pasta is a comforting Italian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken breasts, al dente pasta, and a rich, cheesy Alfredo sauce baked until bubbly and golden. This easy-to-make recipe combines cooked pasta and chicken with a luscious homemade cream sauce, perfect for a hearty family dinner.
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
Alfredo 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 assembled pasta dish.
- Cook Pasta: Boil salted water and cook the fettuccine or penne pasta until al dente, then drain and set aside to prevent overcooking during baking.
- Sauté Garlic: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat, add minced garlic, and sauté until fragrant, releasing its aroma to flavor the dish.
- Cook Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, add them to the skillet, and cook until both sides turn golden brown and the chicken is cooked through. Remove from heat and slice into strips for easier mixing.
- Make Alfredo Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat, then stir in heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Gradually add grated Parmesan cheese while stirring to create a smooth, creamy sauce. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Combine Ingredients: In a baking dish, mix together the cooked pasta, sliced chicken, and prepared Alfredo sauce, ensuring everything is evenly coated and combined.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and golden brown, indicating the dish is heated through and nicely finished.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and smoothest sauce texture.
- You can substitute chicken breasts with thighs if preferred, but adjust cooking time accordingly.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Garnish with chopped parsley or basil before serving for added color and freshness.
- Make sure not to overcook the pasta when boiling since it will cook further in the oven.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Baked Chicken Alfredo, Creamy Pasta, Chicken Pasta Bake, Italian Chicken Recipe, Alfredo Sauce, Easy Dinner
