Cheesy Baked Chicken Alfredo with Crispy Top
A recipe for creamy chicken alfredo baked until bubbly with a golden, crispy breadcrumb and parmesan topping.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Total Time: 40 min
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
- 12 ounces fettuccine pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus 1/2 cup for topping
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Cook the fettuccine according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low.
- Stir in 1 cup of Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Continue stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly, about 3 to 5 minutes. Do not boil.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the cooked, shredded chicken and the drained pasta to the sauce. Toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, the remaining 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, and 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Mix until the breadcrumbs are evenly moistened.
- Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the pasta.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly around the edges.
- For the crispy top, switch the oven to broil (high setting). Broil for 1 to 3 minutes, watching constantly, until the topping is golden brown and crisp.
- Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- To keep the dish moist, ensure the sauce fully coats the pasta before baking.
- You can cook the chicken ahead of time by poaching or baking it simply seasoned.
- For extra flavor in the topping, add a pinch of garlic powder to the breadcrumbs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 750
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 50
- Saturated Fat: 30
- Unsaturated Fat: 20
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 35
- Cholesterol: 150