Cozy Crack Chicken Pasta — Creamy Chicken Noodle Bake

This cozy chicken pasta bake is the ultimate comfort food, ready in just 30 minutes. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the creamy sauce and crispy topping. The secret is using heavy cream and a quick broil. Keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken and Cracked Garlic Steak Tortellini Recipe.

What You'll Need for Cozy Crack Chicken Pasta — Creamy Chicken Noodle Bake

Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.

• chicken breasts
• pasta
• heavy cream
• shredded cheese
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• salt
• pepper
• Italian seasoning
• Optional: fresh parsley
• Optional: grated Parmesan

How to Make Cozy Crack Chicken Pasta — Creamy Chicken Noodle Bake

1. Step 1: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large skillet, cook chicken breasts over medium heat until cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Stir in flour to create a roux. Gradually add heavy cream, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
4. Step 4: Add cooked pasta and shredded cheese to the skillet. Stir until the cheese is melted and the pasta is well coated. Add cooked chicken and mix well to combine.
5. Step 5: Transfer the pasta mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with remaining shredded cheese and breadcrumbs. Broil for 2-3 minutes or until the top is golden and crispy.

Storing & Reheating Cozy Crack Chicken Pasta — Creamy Chicken Noodle Bake

Short-Term Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: The pasta mixture can be prepared up to 1 day ahead. Store in the refrigerator until ready to bake.

Freezing Cozy Crack Chicken Pasta — Creamy Chicken Noodle Bake

Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Reheat Without Drying It Out

Oven: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. Stir halfway through.

Recipe Notes

• Chef tip: For a spicy version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
• Best substitution: Substitute the chicken breasts with cooked, shredded chicken or turkey.
• Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead instructions.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled to serve a larger crowd.
• Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little milk or chicken broth.

Cozy Crack Chicken Pasta — Creamy Chicken Noodle Bake

⏱

Prep

15 mins

🍳

Cook

15 mins

⏳

Total

30 mins

🍽

Serves

4 servings

🥗

Diet

Gluten-Free

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• chicken breasts
• pasta
• heavy cream
• shredded cheese

Seasonings

• garlic powder
• onion powder
• salt
• pepper
• Italian seasoning

Optional Toppings

• fresh parsley
• grated Parmesan

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large skillet, cook chicken breasts over medium heat until cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Stir in flour to create a roux. Gradually add heavy cream, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
4. Step 4: Add cooked pasta and shredded cheese to the skillet. Stir until the cheese is melted and the pasta is well coated. Add cooked chicken and mix well to combine.
5. Step 5: Transfer the pasta mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with remaining shredded cheese and breadcrumbs. Broil for 2-3 minutes or until the top is golden and crispy.

Notes

• Chef tip: For a spicy version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
• Best substitution: Substitute the chicken breasts with cooked, shredded chicken or turkey.
• Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead instructions.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled to serve a larger crowd.
• Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little milk or chicken broth.

Storage

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Oven reheat: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.
• Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. Stir halfway through.
• Make ahead: The pasta mixture can be prepared up to 1 day ahead. Store in the refrigerator until ready to bake.

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 650
• Protein: 40g
• Fat: 35g
• Carbs: 45g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 850mg
• Cholesterol: 120mg
• Sat. Fat: 20g

Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.

Cozy Crack Chicken Pasta — Creamy Chicken Noodle Bake FAQs

A Warm Final Note

I can’t wait for you to try Cozy Crack Chicken Pasta — Creamy Chicken Noodle Bake and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!