Chicken Alfredo Bake (Printer-friendly)

Tender chicken and penne baked in a rich Alfredo sauce with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

# Ingredient List:

→ Pasta

01 - 14 oz penne pasta

→ Chicken

02 - 1.1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
03 - 1 tbsp olive oil
04 - 1/2 tsp salt
05 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Alfredo Sauce

06 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
07 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
09 - 2 cups whole milk
10 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
11 - 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 - 1/2 tsp salt
13 - 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)

→ Cheese Topping

14 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
15 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
16 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Cook penne in salted boiling water until al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat.
04 - In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
05 - Gradually whisk in whole milk and heavy cream. Simmer, whisking continuously, until sauce thickens slightly, about 3 to 4 minutes.
06 - Stir in grated Parmesan, salt, and nutmeg until smooth and cheese is melted. Remove from heat.
07 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, chicken, and Alfredo sauce. Mix thoroughly to coat evenly.
08 - Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish. Evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella and additional grated Parmesan over the top.
09 - Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
10 - Allow to rest for 5 minutes before garnishing with chopped fresh parsley and serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour, which means you can actually make it on a weeknight without losing your mind.
  • The creamy sauce and melted cheese on top create those golden, crispy edges that somehow always taste better than they have any right to.
  • You can prep everything ahead and bake it right before people arrive, which feels like cheating but actually isn't.
02 -
  • Don't overcook your pasta initially because it keeps cooking in the oven, and nobody wants a casserole of mush.
  • If your sauce breaks or gets lumpy, strain it through a fine mesh sieve and it'll come back together without anyone knowing what almost happened.
03 -
  • Grating your own Parmesan from a block means smoother sauce and better flavor than the pre-shredded stuff ever delivered.
  • If you notice the sauce looking thin before you combine everything, simmer it for another minute or two until it reaches the consistency of heavy cream.
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