Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Creamy Crunchy Chicken Pasta recipe. Tender penne pasta and seasoned chicken are smothered in a rich, cheesy sauce, topped with a buttery cracker crust for a delightful crunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 12 oz penne pasta
Chicken:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Cheese Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Topping:
- 1 cup crushed buttery crackers (such as Ritz)
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook penne pasta until al dente, drain, and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Season and cook chicken until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: Melt butter, sauté garlic, whisk in flour, then gradually add milk and cream. Stir in cheeses and sour cream until creamy.
- Combine and Bake: Add pasta and chicken to the sauce, transfer to a baking dish. Mix crushed crackers with melted butter and sprinkle over the top. Broil or bake until golden and crunchy.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute cooked rotisserie chicken for quicker prep.
- Add steamed broccoli or peas for a veggie boost.
- For extra crunch, try using panko breadcrumbs instead of crackers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 39g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
