Description
Hearty tuscan chicken pasta bake celebrates Mediterranean flavors with rich, comforting ingredients. Cheese-laden layers and herb-infused sauce create a satisfying meal for family gatherings and weekend dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken fillets
- 16 oz (454 g) penne pasta
- 5 oz (142 g) fresh baby spinach
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 2 tbsps butter
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, julienne-cut, packed in oil, drained and chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Ignite the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a spacious baking vessel with cooking spray.
- Pasta Perfection: Submerge penne in salted boiling water, cooking until al dente. Drain and reserve.
- Chicken Preparation: Dry chicken fillets and lavish with kosher salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning blend.
- Searing Stage: Activate a skillet over medium-high heat, introducing olive oil and butter. Sear chicken until golden and internal temperature hits 165°F (74°C). Slice into bite-sized morsels.
- Flavor Foundation: In the same skillet, reduce heat and introduce sun-dried tomatoes and garlic. Cascade heavy cream and milk, deglazing pan’s surface. Whisk Parmesan cheese until sauce transforms into a velvety consistency.
- Herbal Infusion: Integrate spinach leaves, allowing them to wilt gracefully into the creamy sauce.
- Combine and Coat: Marry sliced chicken and pasta with the luxurious sauce, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
- Baking Finale: Transfer to prepared baking dish, crown with additional Parmesan. Bake for 18-22 minutes until surface achieves golden-brown brilliance and edges bubble enticingly.
- Resting Period: Extract from oven and allow 5 minutes of repose, permitting flavors to harmonize and sauce to stabilize before serving.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection: Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness and maintain a delightful texture when baked.
- Chicken Searing Secret: Pat chicken dry before seasoning to achieve a beautiful golden-brown crust that locks in maximum flavor.
- Sauce Smoothing Technique: Gradually whisk Parmesan cheese and continuously stir to create a silky, lump-free sauce that coats every ingredient.
- Resting Ritual: Allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes after baking, which helps the sauce thicken and allows flavors to develop and intensify.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 687
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 23g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 150mg