Description
A delightful dish combining rich flavors with creamy sauce, chicken, and melted mozzarella, perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
- Chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the pasta in salted water until just under al dente, then drain and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil. Add the chicken, season with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, and sear until golden, about 5-7 minutes.
- Lower the heat, then add marinara sauce, heavy cream, and optional minced garlic. Simmer for 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in 1 cup of mozzarella and Parmesan until melted and creamy.
- Combine the cooked pasta with the chicken and sauce, tossing until well coated.
- Transfer to a 9×13 baking dish and top with remaining mozzarella.
- Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden, then broil for an additional 2-3 minutes for extra crunch.
- Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving, garnished with chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
Use fresh ingredients and season well for best results. Adjust cream for desired thickness, and feel free to experiment with different cheeses.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg