Description
Creamy Chicken Casserole delivers comfort through rich, cheesy layers of tender chicken and hearty vegetables. Hearty midwestern flavors combine with simple ingredients, creating a satisfying meal that brings warmth and happiness to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2.5 cups chopped rotisserie chicken
- 2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil
Dairy and Sauces:
- 4 ounces (1 cup) pre-shredded low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese
- 1 (15 ounces) jar Alfredo sauce
- ⅓ cup refrigerated pesto sauce
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
Pasta and Vegetables:
- 12 ounces uncooked penne pasta, cooked according to package directions
- 1 (6 ounces) package fresh baby spinach, chopped
- ¼ cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating it to 375°F (190°C). Thoroughly combine fresh spinach leaves with vibrant pesto in a medium mixing bowl, ensuring each leaf is evenly coated.
- Create a creamy base by whisking Alfredo sauce with chicken broth in a separate bowl until smooth and well-integrated. Carefully spread approximately of this mixture across the bottom of a greased 11×7-inch (28×18 centimeters) baking dish.
- Layer half of the pesto-dressed spinach evenly over the initial sauce layer, creating a verdant green foundation for the casserole.
- Gently fold cooked pasta and diced chicken into the remaining Alfredo sauce, ensuring each component is thoroughly coated. Delicately spoon half of this mixture over the spinach layer, creating a substantial protein-rich stratum.
- Repeat the layering process by adding the remaining spinach mixture and then topping with the remaining chicken and pasta combination.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes until the edges become slightly golden and the center is heated through.
- Remove the dish and generously sprinkle shredded cheese across the surface. Return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and become bubbly with a light golden crust.
- Once removed from the oven, garnish with fresh basil leaves and a light dusting of paprika for added color and flavor complexity.
Notes
- Leftovers stay delicious when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing works best before adding cheese topping; wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for maximum 2 months.
- Fresh rotisserie chicken can replace cooked chicken, saving preparation time and adding extra flavor.
- Gluten-free pasta alternatives like zucchini noodles or chickpea pasta work perfectly for dietary modifications.
- Low-fat Alfredo sauce and reduced-fat cheese options create a lighter version of this comforting casserole.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 590 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 1,200mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 51g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 95mg