Chicken Caprese Pasta Bake
Chicken caprese pasta bake is loaded with tomatoes, spinach, basil and other savory ingredients. Perfectly cheesy and drizzled with a balsamic glaze.
Servings 6 people
Calories 438kcal
Ingredients
- 1 pack Chicken breast or tenderloin cut into bite size pieces
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil to fry chicken
- 1/2 cup Fresh basil chopped
- 1 bag Frozen spinach fresh spinach will work also
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 3 Roma tomatoes diced
- 2 cups Parmesan cheese shredded
- 2 cups Mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 tablespoon Butter
- 2 cups Half and half
- 1 box Penne pasta cooked al dente
Balsamic Glaze
- 1 cup Balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Sugar for balsamic glaze
Seasoning (to taste)
- 2 tablespoons Seasoning salt
- 1 tablespoon Black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1/4 cup Flour
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season chicken with the seasonings, ensuring all pieces are coated evenly.
- Add chicken pieces to the pan, drizzle one tablespoon of balsamic vinegar over the chicken and cook thoroughly
- Once chicken is cooked, remove it from the pan and set it aside. Using the same pan, add the butter and let it melt. Add the minced garlic and saute for 30 seconds.
- Sprinkle the flour into the pan and whisk it around until the butter and oil are absorbed.
- Slowly add the half and half and whisk it around until the flour is incorporated and the sauce is thickened.
- Add 1 1/2 cups of each the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses and stir into cream sauce.
- Add the chopped tomatoes, spinach, and 1/4 cup chopped basil to the cheese sauce. Mix in the chicken and the pasta, and stir until combined.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheeses on top and place in the oven for 10 minutes.
- Using a small saucepan, add balsamic vinegar and sugar. Cook for 5 minutes until vinegar reduces down and turns into a glaze.
- Remove pasta from the oven, drizzle balsamic glaze over the dish. Top with remaining basil.
Nutrition
Serving: 6people | Calories: 438kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 4407mg | Potassium: 339mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 1162IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 794mg | Iron: 2mg