Creamy Mushroom Chicken Pasta Bake
This Creamy Mushroom Chicken Pasta Bake is a comforting, cheesy delight with tender chicken and earthy mushrooms in a luscious sauce. Perfect for cozy dinners!
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 45 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb chicken breast diced
- 8 oz mushrooms sliced
- 1 small onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- salt and pepper to taste
- fresh parsley for garnish
Creamy Mushroom Chicken Pasta Bake, Made Easy
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz of penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken breast seasoned with salt and pepper. Cook until golden and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the diced onion and sliced mushrooms. Sauté until the onions are translucent and the mushrooms have released their moisture and browned slightly, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and dried thyme, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
Pour in 1 cup of heavy cream and 1 cup of chicken broth. Stir well, scraping any browned bits from the pan for extra flavor. Let the mixture simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir in 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Remove from heat and gently fold in the cooked penne pasta until everything is well coated.
Transfer the creamy chicken and pasta mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and golden brown around the edges. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
- Cook the pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness after baking.
- Sauté mushrooms separately to ensure they brown nicely and avoid rubberiness.
- Combining Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses balances flavor and meltability perfectly.
- Let the sauce simmer slightly to thicken so it clings well to the pasta.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat gently with added cream or broth.
Keyword Baked, chicken, Comfort Food, Easy, Mushrooms, Pasta