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Creamy Pesto Chicken Bake

A luxurious and comforting pasta bake featuring tender seared chicken, al dente rigatoni, and a rich, glossy creamy pesto sauce, all topped with melted mozzarella.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Comfort Food, Italian-American
Calories: 680

Ingredients
  

Chicken & Pasta
  • 1 lb rigatoni pasta or penne
  • 1.5 lb chicken breast boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp butter unsalted
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp salt plus more for pasta water
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
Creamy Pesto Sauce
  • 1 cup basil pesto jarred or fresh
  • 1.5 cups heavy cream
  • 0.5 cup chicken broth low sodium
  • 0.5 cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Large Skillet
  • 9x13 Baking Dish
  • Colander

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13 baking dish lightly with cooking spray.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni to al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
  3. While pasta cooks, season chicken cubes with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
  4. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sear for 4-5 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
  5. In the same skillet, lower heat to medium. Deglaze with chicken broth, scraping up brown bits. Add heavy cream and simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly.
  6. Stir in pesto and parmesan cheese until smooth and combined. Return chicken and cooked pasta to the skillet (or a large bowl) and toss to coat thoroughly.
  7. Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top evenly with shredded mozzarella cheese.
  8. Bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese is bubbly and melted. Optional: Broil for 2 minutes for golden spots.
  9. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil before serving.

Notes

For extra veggies, toss in cherry tomatoes or spinach before baking.