Easy-Peasy Chicken Pasta: A Family Dinner Favorite
Are you looking for an easy chicken pasta dinner recipe that your whole family will love? Look no further than our Easy-Peasy Chicken Pasta! This dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want to whip up a meal quickly without sacrificing flavor.
One of the best things about this recipe is that it’s incredibly easy to make. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you can have a hot and satisfying meal on the table in no time. All you need is some penne pasta, frozen breaded chicken patties, alfredo sauce, broccoli, and a few pantry staples like garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and parmesan cheese.
Measuring out ingredients accurately is key to making any recipe a success, and the OXO Good Grips 6 Piece Measuring Cup Set is a great tool to help you do just that! Use the cups to measure out the perfect amount of breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese for our chicken pasta recipe, and you’ll have a perfectly balanced and delicious meal every time. With easy-to-read markings and a comfortable grip, these measuring cups are a must-have for any home cook.
To start, you’ll cook the penne pasta according to the package directions, adding some salt, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and a drizzle of olive oil for extra flavor. While the pasta is cooking, you’ll thaw the frozen chicken patties in the microwave and chop them into bite-sized pieces. You’ll also thaw some frozen broccoli florets and chop them into small pieces.
Once the pasta is cooked, you’ll combine it with the alfredo sauce, broccoli, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning in a large bowl. Then you’ll pour the mixture into a baking dish and top it with the chopped chicken pieces. Finally, you’ll sprinkle a mixture of parmesan cheese and Italian seasoned bread crumbs over the top and bake the dish in the oven until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and crispy.
I highly recommend using the OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Plastic Mixing Bowl Set to make this Chicken Pasta Family Dinner recipe. These bowls are durable and have a non-slip base that stays put while you mix. They’re also stackable for easy storage and come in three different sizes to fit all your mixing needs. Plus, the wide lips make pouring ingredients a breeze. Trust me, you’ll love using these bowls for all your cooking and baking needs.
One of the things we love about this recipe is that it’s so versatile. You can easily switch up the ingredients to suit your family’s tastes. For example, you could use a different type of pasta, add some extra vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms, or swap out the alfredo sauce for a tomato-based sauce. You could also try using different seasonings to give the dish a different flavor profile.
Another great thing about this recipe is that it’s perfect for meal prep. This recipe makes several servings and can be easily portioned out into individual containers for easy lunches or dinners throughout the week. It’s also a great option for freezer meals. Simply assemble the dish up until the point of baking, then freeze it for later. When you’re ready to eat, just thaw the dish and bake it in the oven as usual.
Overall, our Easy-Peasy Chicken Pasta is a family favorite that we turn to time and time again when we’re in need of a quick and easy dinner. With its simple ingredients and minimal prep time, it’s the perfect recipe for busy weeknights. Plus, with its versatility and meal prep potential, it’s a dish that will never get old. Give it a try and see for yourself just how delicious and easy our Chicken Pasta Family Dinner can be!
Equipment
- 1 13x9 Baking pan
Ingredients
- 1 lb penne pasta
- 4 frozen fully cooked breaded chicken breast patties
- 2 15oz jars alfredo sauce
- 12 oz frozen broccoli florets
- salt
- garlic powder
- Italian seasoning
- olive oil
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
- 2 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Boil water and cook 1 lb penne pasta per directions on box/bag. Don't forget to add a few dashes of salt, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and some olive oil.1 lb penne pasta, salt, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, olive oil
- Meanwhile, thaw 4 frozen fully cooked breaded chicken breast patties in the microwave using the thaw function for about 8 minutes, flipping halfway through.4 frozen fully cooked breaded chicken breast patties
- While chicken is thawing, run the frozen 12 oz frozen broccoli florets under warm water until thawed. Chop the florets into small pieces, any size you want. Set aside.12 oz frozen broccoli florets
- Combine 1/2 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs and 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese. Add 2 tbsp melted butter and mix well so the bread crumbs are evenly saturated.1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs, 2 tbsp melted butter
- Once 4 frozen fully cooked breaded chicken breast patties are thawed, chop into bite-sized pieces and set aside.4 frozen fully cooked breaded chicken breast patties
- Combine cooked penne, 2 15oz jars alfredo sauce, chopped broccoli florets, garlic powder, Italian seasoning into a large bowl and mix well. Pour mixture into a 13x9 baking pan. Top with chopped chicken, then the breadcrumb mixture.1 lb penne pasta, 4 frozen fully cooked breaded chicken breast patties, 2 15oz jars alfredo sauce, 12 oz frozen broccoli florets, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Place in oven and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes, or until breadcrumbs are evenly browned.
Notes
- Be sure to boil the penne pasta until it's al dente, or slightly firm to the bite, to avoid overcooking it.
- Thaw the frozen chicken patties before chopping them into bite-sized pieces. You can use the microwave's thaw function for this.
- Chop the broccoli florets into small pieces of any size you want to ensure they cook evenly with the rest of the dish.
- Combine the breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese with melted butter to create a delicious, crispy topping for the dish.
- Mix the cooked penne, Alfredo sauce, broccoli, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning well before pouring into the baking pan. This ensures that all of the ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the dish.
- Top the mixture with the chopped chicken and breadcrumb mixture before baking in the oven.
- Bake the dish at 375°F for 20 minutes or until the breadcrumbs are evenly browned.
- Enjoy this easy-to-make and delicious Easy-Peasy Chicken Pasta recipe for a quick and tasty meal. Don't forget to share the recipe with your friends and family!
If you’re looking for another budget friendly family meal, check out my Asian-inspired Fried Rice recipe. It is sure to amaze your tastebuds.
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