Baked Chicken Alfredo Recipe
I’ll never forget the first time I made baked chicken alfredo. The creamy sauce, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked pasta all came together most deliciously. It felt like I had a restaurant-quality meal on my dinner table—but in truth, it was something I whipped up in my kitchen.
Ingredients
- Penne pasta
- Butter
- Fresh garlic
- Cream cheese
- Milk
- Parmesan cheese
- Dried parsley
- Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Ground black pepper
- Olive oil
- Chicken breasts
Instructions
- Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne until it’s al dente, which usually takes about 11 minutes. Drain and set it aside while you work on the sauce and chicken.
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Next, stir in cream cheese, followed by milk, whisking until smooth. Add Parmesan cheese, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer the sauce while stirring occasionally for 5 minutes.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet and season the chicken with salt and garlic powder. Cook the chicken breasts over low heat until they are fully cooked and reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Chop them into bite-sized cubes.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with butter, then layer the dish with pasta, chicken, and sauce. Repeat the layers, finishing with sauce and sprinkling the remaining Parmesan cheese on top.
- Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes to get a golden, bubbling top. Serve immediately and enjoy the cheesy, creamy goodness!
Notes
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cook the pasta just until it’s al dente. Overcooked pasta can become mushy when baked in a casserole.
- Warm the Milk: Using room-temperature milk will make the Alfredo sauce smoother and creamier without any lumps.
- Check Chicken Temperature: Make sure the chicken hits 165°F internally to ensure it’s fully cooked and safe to eat. A meat thermometer is your best friend here!
- Use Fresh Parmesan: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese will give the dish a stronger, more authentic flavor compared to pre-packaged varieties.