Cheesy Chicken and Pasta Bake

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-27 · Updated 2026-03-27

A comforting baked dish with creamy chicken, al dente pasta, and melted cheese. This Italian-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs chicken breast halves, penne pasta, milk for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 (6 oz each) chicken breast halves
• 1.5 cups penne pasta
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 cloves, minced garlic
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup, shredded mozzarella cheese

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add chicken breasts and cook 6-8 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and slice into strips.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil. Sauté garlic for 30 seconds. Add cooked pasta, milk, cream, Parmesan, basil, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and cook 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens.
4. Step 4: Transfer pasta mixture to a baking dish. Top with sliced chicken and mozzarella. Bake 15-20 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.