Description
A comforting, creamy pasta dish with tender chicken, a velvety cheese sauce, and a golden crunchy breadcrumb topping. Perfect for cozy dinners and family gatherings.
Ingredients
- Pasta: 12 ounces penne or rotini, cooked al dente
- Cooked Chicken: 2 cups, shredded or cubed
- Butter: 3 tablespoons
- Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
- All-Purpose Flour: 3 tablespoons
- Milk: 2 cups, whole or 2%
- Heavy Cream: 1 cup
- Cheddar Cheese: 1 ½ cups, shredded
- Parmesan Cheese: ½ cup, grated
- Salt and Pepper: To taste
- Breadcrumbs: 1 cup, lightly toasted
- Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon
- Parsley: 2 tablespoons, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a medium baking dish.
- In a skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant.
- Stir in flour to create a roux, then gradually whisk in milk and cream until smooth.
- Once thickened, add cheddar and Parmesan cheeses, stirring until melted. Season with salt and pepper.
- Combine pasta, chicken, and sauce in a large bowl, then transfer to the baking dish.
- Mix breadcrumbs with olive oil and sprinkle over the top.
- Bake uncovered for 20 minutes or until golden and bubbly.
- Sprinkle parsley on top before serving.
Notes
- Toast breadcrumbs in advance for an extra golden crunch.
- Add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for more flavor.
- Use rotisserie chicken to save time.
- Let the pasta rest before serving to thicken the sauce perfectly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 115mg