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Chicken Pesto Pasta Bake Recipe

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4.2 from 2 reviews

A creamy and comforting Chicken Pesto Pasta Bake featuring tender cooked chicken, fresh spinach, and a rich pesto cream sauce all baked under a golden cheesy crust. Perfect for a hearty family dinner ready in under an hour.

Ingredients

Pasta and Protein

  • 500g bowtie pasta
  • 400g cooked chicken, chopped into small pieces

Sauce and Vegetables

  • 250ml cream for cooking
  • 100g baby spinach leaves
  • 100g pesto

Cheese

  • 1.5 cups grated cheese (approx. 100g)

Seasoning

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven. Set your oven to 180°C using the fanbake setting to ensure even heat and a crispy cheese topping.
  2. Cook the pasta. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the bowtie pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve half a cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta to use in the sauce.
  3. Prepare chicken. While the pasta cooks, chop the cooked chicken into small pieces to distribute evenly through the bake.
  4. Make the sauce in the pasta pot. Return the empty pasta pot to the stove and add the cooking cream, baby spinach leaves, chicken pieces, pesto, and one cup of the grated cheese. Pour in the reserved pasta cooking water and season well with salt and pepper. Stir gently over low heat until the spinach wilts and the cheese melts into a creamy sauce.
  5. Combine pasta and sauce. Add the hot drained pasta back into the pot with the sauce. Mix thoroughly to ensure every piece of pasta is coated with the creamy pesto sauce and chicken.
  6. Transfer to baking dish. Pour the combined pasta mixture into a large baking dish, spreading it evenly to the edges for even cooking and browning.
  7. Add cheese topping. Sprinkle the remaining half cup of grated cheese evenly over the top to create a golden, bubbly crust when baked.
  8. Bake until golden. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 30 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown.
  9. Serve immediately. Once baked, serve hot. For a fuller meal, accompany with a fresh side salad and garlic bread.

Notes

  • You can use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken for convenience.
  • Reserve pasta water helps to keep the sauce creamy and is essential to the texture.
  • Adjust the baking time slightly depending on your oven to avoid burning the cheese topping.
  • Substitute cream with a lighter milk alternative for a lower-calorie version.
  • Adding fresh basil leaves before serving can enhance the pesto flavor.

Find it online: https://cozyplatter.com/chicken-pesto-pasta-bake-recipe/