Chicken Alfredo Bake
Craving a deliciously creamy, cheesy dish that’s as easy to make as it is to devour?
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Servings: 8 people
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Ingredients:
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (marinated in Italian dressing, optional)
- Vegetable oil for cooking
- 1/4 tsp thyme
- 1/4 tsp poultry seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 cups half-and-half
- 3 cups milk
- 3 cups Kraft Italian Five Cheese Blend (divided)
- Italian seasoning for garnish
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken (Optional):
- Marinate the chicken breasts in Italian dressing for a few hours or overnight for extra flavor and tenderness.
- Cook the Pasta:
- Boil the penne pasta according to the package instructions.
- Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Heat 1-2 tbsp of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Slice the marinated chicken into thinner pieces for even cooking.
- In a small bowl, mix salt, pepper, thyme, and poultry seasoning. Rub it on all sides of the chicken.
- Cook the chicken in the skillet for 15-20 minutes until fully cooked.
- Remove from heat and let it cool.
- Make the Alfredo Sauce:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a separate large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Whisk in the flour and cook until bubbly.
- Gradually add the half-and-half and milk, stirring to combine.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Stir in 1½ cups of cheese and cook for another 5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Remove from heat.
- Assemble the Casserole:
- Cut the cooled chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, pasta, and Alfredo sauce. Mix well.
- Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray.
- Transfer the pasta mixture into the baking dish and top with the remaining 1½ cups of cheese.
- Bake the Casserole:
- Sprinkle with a pinch of pepper.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve:
- Garnish with Italian seasoning and serve hot.