Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
40 mins
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Total Time
50 mins
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Servings
4 servings
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Calories
598 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe
Description
The Chicken Pasta Bake includes cooked pasta mixed with bite-sized pieces of seasoned chicken. A sauce is made by cooking butter and flour into a roux, then gradually whisking in milk until smooth and thickened. Garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and optional Dijon mustard are stirred in for flavor. Cheese and the cooked chicken are combined into the sauce, which is then mixed with the pasta.
After assembling, the dish is topped with additional shredded cheese and baked at 350°F (180°C) until the top is golden and the sauce is bubbly. This baking step melts the cheese on top and allows flavors to meld, producing a creamy, flavorful casserole.
Adding Dijon mustard is recommended as it enhances the depth of flavor and helps the sauce bind more effectively. This dish can be served as a fulfilling main course for lunch or dinner and pairs well with simple green salads or steamed vegetables to balance the richness.
For best results, cook the pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness after baking. The sauce thickening on low heat ensures a smooth texture without lumps. Adjust seasoning to taste throughout the cooking process.
Ingredients
Cook Pasta
- 8 ounces pasta half pack
Cook Chicken
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large chicken breast
- ½ Teaspoon salt
- ¼ Teaspoon black pepper ground
For the Sauce
- 2 Tablespoon butter
- 2 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1½ cup milk
- ½ Teaspoon salt
- ¼ Teaspoon black pepper ground
- 1 Teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 Teaspoon onion powder
- 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning or Oregano
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard optional, *see Notes
- 1 cup cheese shredded
To top
- ½ cup cheese shredded
Instructions
- Bring water to boil with salt. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
- Cut chicken breast into smaller bite-size pieces.
- Heat up a skillet with the olive oil and add chicken.
- Season chicken with salt and black pepper and cook on all sides.
- Take chicken from the skillet and keep it aside for later. Bring skillet back to the heat and add butter.
- Stir all-purpose flour into the butter over a medium to slow heat setting and mix in.
- Quickly continue to pour in some of the milk and whisk it into the flour-butter mixture. Continue to whisk and to do that until you used up all the milk, and the sauce is looking smooth without pieces.
- Takedown the heat to a low flame. Stir in salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning (or oregano), and dijon mustard. Combine and allow the sauce to thicken.
- Stir in cheese and cooked chicken from earlier. Combine to a cheesy chicken sauce.
- Heat up oven to 350° Fahrenheit/ 180° Celsius.
- Place cooked pasta into the baking dish and pour chicken white sauce over the paste. Spread and mix the sauce into pasta.
- Top it all with grated cheese.
- Bake uncovered at 350° Fahrenheit/ 180° Celsius for about 20 minutes or until it looks golden crispy baked.
Notes
- Dijon mustard is optional but recommended for added flavor and to help the sauce bind better.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 598 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 598kcal | 30% |
| Carbohydrates | 53g | 18% |
| Protein | 38g | 76% |
| Fat | 25g | 38% |
| Saturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Cholesterol | 93mg | 31% |
| Sodium | 1357mg | 57% |
| Potassium | 528mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 686IU | 14% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 554mg | 55% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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