Baked Chicken Caesar Pasta with Buttery Cracker Crust
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
25 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Total Time
40 mins
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Servings
8 servings
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Calories
493 kcal
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Course
Dinner
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Cuisine
Italian-American Fussion
Baked Chicken Caesar Pasta with Buttery Cracker Crust
Description
The recipe starts by preparing pasta slightly undercooked to maintain firmness after baking. Cooked chicken pieces and Parmesan cheese are mixed together with a dressing made by blending Parmesan, olive and vegetable oils, lemon juice, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce. This mixture coats the pasta evenly, imparting a creamy, tangy Caesar flavor.
The topping of butter-toasted crushed crackers adds a browned crunchy crust once baked in the oven, contrasting nicely with the softer pasta and chicken beneath. Baking briefly melds the flavors and produces a warm, cohesive dish.
This pasta bake works well as a comforting main course and pairs well with a fresh green salad. The creamy dressing and crispy crust provide varied textures that enhance each bite.
Using your preferred pasta shape is flexible, though wider noodles hold sauce and chicken pieces well. Toasting the crackers in butter before topping gives them a richer taste and better color during baking.
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta , shape of your choice (I used extra wide egg noodle)
- 3 cups chicken cubed, cooked
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese (about 4 ounces)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese about 2 ounces, freshly grated
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup lemon juice fresh
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 20 crackers crushed (I used Ritz, buttery
- parsley fresh
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Melt butter in pan and cook the crushed crackers until they are all toasted and start to brown.
- Put the dressing ingredients, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, olive oil, vegetable oil, lemon juice, garlic cloves and Worcestershire sauce into a small food processor and process until smooth, about 30 seconds.
- Cook pasta a couple minutes short of what it calls for on the box. Drain.
- Add chicken, 1 cup parmesan cheese and the dressing.
- Toss together and put into a baking dish.
- Top with the buttery toasted crackers.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until all melted together
Notes
- The dressing is adapted from Epicurious for a balanced Caesar flavor.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best results in the dressing and topping.
- Toast the crushed crackers in butter to achieve a golden, flavorful crust before baking.
- You may choose any pasta shape, but wider noodles complement the chicken pieces well.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 493 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 493kcal | 25% |
| Carbohydrates | 49g | 16% |
| Protein | 15g | 30% |
| Fat | 27g | 42% |
| Saturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Cholesterol | 28mg | 9% |
| Sodium | 428mg | 18% |
| Potassium | 166mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 321IU | 6% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 248mg | 25% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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