Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake
RecipeBoy.com (shared from Recipetin Eats Dinner)
A wonderful pasta bake full of all of your favorite things!
Prep Time 35 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 servings
Calories 929 kcal
PASTA:
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 12 ounces penne or ziti
- 5 ounces bacon slices
- 2 cups (tightly packed) baby spinach
- ½ cup sun-dried tomato strips in oil, drained (and roughly chopped)
- 2 teaspoons chopped parsley, for serving (optional)
COOK THE CHICKEN:
Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Using the same pot over medium-high, melt the butter. Cook the chicken for 4 minutes on each side, then transfer to a plate. Rest for 5 minutes and cut into ½-inch thick slices.
MAKE THE TUSCAN SAUCE:
Melt the butter in the same pot, still on medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook for 20 seconds. Add the wine, stir, then simmer rapidly for 2 minutes or until mostly evaporated. Lower the heat to medium, add the flour and stir for 1 minute. Switch to a whisk. While whisking, slowly pour in the milk- the mixture will thicken. Once the flour and milk are combined, add the cream and chicken broth. Whisk until lump-free. Bring to a simmer and stir regularly with a wooden spoon for 4 to 5 minutes until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of the wooden spoon.Stir in the onion and garlic powder, salt, pepper and ⅔ of both the Parmesan and mozzarella. Once the cheese melts, the sauce should be thick and creamy.
ASSEMBLE AND BAKE:
Stir in the spinach, chicken, sun-dried tomato, most of the bacon (reserve some for topping) and pasta. Pour into a 13x9-inch baking dish, sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan, followed by the mozzarella and bacon. Bake for 25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and golden.
Serving: 1servingCalories: 929kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 47gFat: 55gSaturated Fat: 29gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 213mgSodium: 2359mgPotassium: 876mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 2631IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 558mgIron: 3mg
Keyword chicken, pasta, tuscan