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Best Easy Creamy Chicken Alfredo Bake – One Dish Dinner

creamy chicken alfredo bake - featured image
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This one-dish wonder combines tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a rich, creamy Alfredo sauce with a golden, bubbly cheese topping. It’s an effortless, foolproof dinner that requires no boiling pasta or separate sauce—just mix, bake, and enjoy.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 lb (16 oz) penne or rigatoni pasta, uncooked
  • 3 cups (720 ml) heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 2 cups (480 ml) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup (100 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups (200 g) shredded low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (for sautéing chicken, optional)
  • Fresh parsley or basil for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Prep the chicken: Pat chicken dry, cut into 1-inch cubes, and season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of Italian seasoning.
  3. (Optional) Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken pieces for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. (Can skip and add raw chicken directly.)
  4. Mix the sauce and pasta: In a 9×13-inch baking dish, combine uncooked penne, minced garlic, heavy cream, and chicken broth. Stir until pasta is well coated.
  5. Add the chicken and cheese: Nestle chicken pieces into the pasta mixture. Sprinkle 1 cup mozzarella and 1/2 cup Parmesan over the top. Gently stir to mix some cheese in, leaving a layer on top.
  6. Cover and bake: Cover dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 35 minutes.
  7. Uncover, add remaining cheese, and bake again: Remove foil. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup mozzarella and 1/2 cup Parmesan over the top. Bake uncovered for 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden.
  8. Rest before serving: Let the bake rest for 5-10 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken.
  9. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with fresh parsley or basil. Serve hot.

Notes

For best results, grate your own Parmesan—pre-shredded contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy. Do not over-stir the pasta to avoid a gummy texture. If your oven runs hot, check the dish at the 30-minute mark during covered baking. Let the dish rest after baking to allow the sauce to thicken.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken alfredo bake, one dish dinner, creamy pasta bake, easy chicken dinner, family dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://lumalunch.com/best-easy-creamy-chicken-alfredo-bake-one-dish-dinner/