Description
A simple Chicken and Cheese Oven Dinner Bake for busy nights. Creamy, cheesy, and utterly comforting, it’s a family favorite!
Ingredients
Scale
- Main Players:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 8 oz penne or ziti pasta
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Creamy Goodness:
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- Finishing Touches:
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Flavor Boosters:
- 1 tbsp butter or olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp dried parsley
Instructions
- Prep Your Pasta & Chicken:: First things first, get that pasta boiling. Cook it according to package directions, but aim for al dente. While that’s bubbling away, dice your cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. I usually shred it by hand, it just feels more rustic, you know? Don’t forget to drain the pasta well; nobody wants a watery sauce, honestly.
- Sauté Aromatics:: In a large skillet, melt a tablespoon of butter or a drizzle of oil over medium heat. Toss in your diced onion and let it soften until it’s translucent and smells sweet, about 5 minutes. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Don’t let it burn! I’ve burned garlic more times than I care to admit, and it’s such a bummer.
- Whip Up the Creamy Sauce:: Pour in the cream of chicken soup, milk, and sour cream into the skillet. Whisk it all together until it’s smooth and lump-free. Season with salt, pepper, and dried parsley. Let it gently simmer for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until it starts to thicken slightly. Oh, the smell at this stage is just heavenly, a promise of comfort!
- Combine Everything:: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the cooked chicken and the drained pasta. Make sure everything is well coated in that lovely, creamy sauce. This is where I sometimes get a little messy, pasta flying, but it’s all part of the fun, right? Give it a good mix, making sure every piece is happy.
- Assemble Your Chicken and Cheese Oven Dinner Bake:: Pour the pasta and chicken mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly. Sprinkle generously with the shredded cheddar cheese first, then layer on the mozzarella. I always pile on extra cheese because, well, it’s a cheese bake! Don’t be shy here, hon, this is where the magic happens.
- Bake to Golden Perfection:: Pop the dish into a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 25-30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly around the edges and the cheese is melted, golden, and slightly browned in spots. That golden crust, that’s what you’re looking for! Let it rest for a few minutes before serving; it’s hot, and it helps the sauce set up a bit.