Description
This Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake is a creamy, comforting dish featuring tender chicken pieces, rich Alfredo sauce, and gooey melted cheese baked to golden perfection. Perfect for a hearty family meal, this recipe combines stovetop cooking and oven broiling for a deliciously creamy and cheesy pasta dish with a crispy top.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Pasta
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 2 ½ cups dry pasta (rotini, penne, or elbow macaroni)
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter (divided)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/3 cup half & half
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups reserved pasta water
- Salt & pepper to taste
Topping
- 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Extra Parmesan cheese (shaved, optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta while reserving 1 to 1 1/2 cups of the pasta cooking water for later use.
- Cook Chicken: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until they are no longer pink and start to brown slightly. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare Alfredo Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Whisk in the heavy cream and half & half. Gradually whisk in the flour and continue whisking until the sauce thickens. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and whisk until smooth and combined. Season with salt and pepper.
- Combine Ingredients: Thin the sauce using the reserved pasta water to achieve the desired consistency. Add the cooked chicken and pasta back into the skillet and stir to coat the pasta and chicken evenly with the sauce. Add more pasta water if needed so the sauce is creamy but not too thick.
- Broil with Cheese: Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta and sauce mixture. Place the skillet or transfer the mixture to an oven-safe dish and put under the broiler for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the broiler, garnish with fresh parsley and additional shaved Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
- Reserve the pasta water carefully as it helps thin the sauce and adds flavor.
- Use a skillet that is oven-safe if broiling directly in it, or transfer to a baking dish before broiling.
- Keep a close eye while broiling as the cheese can burn quickly.
- Substitute half & half with whole milk for a lighter version, but the sauce may be less rich.
- For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and a gluten-free flour alternative.
