Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Bake Your Family Loves
Enjoy a creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Bake that makes weeknight dinners simple and delicious. This easy dinner is perfect for your family, combining tender chicken with cheesy pasta casserole flavors in one dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 Servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Italian
- Diet: Standard
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (16 ounce) package of penne
- 3 thin-sliced chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons flour cornstarch or arrowroot powder
- 1 can of full-fat coconut milk or 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼–1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 5 ounces baby spinach
Instructions
- Boil water in a large pot and cook the penne until just tender according to the package.
- Season the chicken breasts with half a teaspoon of salt, half a teaspoon of black pepper, and a teaspoon of Italian seasoning.
- In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and cook the chicken for about 5-6 minutes on each side until fully cooked.
- Take the chicken off the heat and let it rest before cutting it into slices.
- Add more butter to the skillet if needed, then sauté the minced garlic and lemon juice for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in the flour and cook it for 30 seconds to a minute until it takes on a light brown color.
- Pour in the coconut milk or heavy cream and stir occasionally until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy.
- Remove from heat and mix in the salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, Parmesan cheese, and baby spinach until the spinach softens.
- Combine the cooked pasta with the sauce to coat it thoroughly.
- Top with the sliced chicken and extra Parmesan if desired, then serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
- Use thinly sliced chicken to reduce cooking time
- Omit red pepper flakes for less heat or serve them on the side
- Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces for easier eating
- Store leftovers airtight in the fridge for 3-4 days and reheat in the microwave or stovetop
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 80.22kcal
- Sugar: 0.33g
- Sodium: 903.72mg
- Fat: 5.93g
- Saturated Fat: 3.64g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.32g + 1.49g
- Trans Fat: 0.23g
- Carbohydrates: 6.13g
- Fiber: 1.34g
- Protein: 1.77g
- Cholesterol: 15.05mg