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Chicken Alfredo Bake is a hearty and comforting dish that combines creamy Alfredo sauce, pasta, chicken, bacon, and mushrooms, all baked to perfection with a golden, melty mozzarella topping. It’s a perfect meal for feeding the whole family, and the leftovers make for a delicious next-day lunch.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Chicken Alfredo Bake:

3 cups rotini pasta (cooked)
2 chicken breasts (cut into cube chunks)
3 rashers of bacon (chopped)
1 onion (chopped)
1 garlic clove (grated)
Shredded mozzarella cheese
Chopped parsley for garnish
100g brown mushrooms (chopped)
Olive oil

For the Alfredo Sauce:

125g butter (melted)
2 tablespoons flour
200ml cream
200ml milk
½ cup shredded Parmesan
½ cup shredded cheddar
Salt and black pepper to taste

Directions

Cook the Pasta: Cook the rotini pasta according to the instructions. Drain and toss it in a little olive oil to prevent it from sticking together.
Cook the Chicken and Bacon: Preheat your oven to 180°C. In a pan, heat some olive oil and add chopped bacon and onion. Cook until softened, and then add the chicken chunks. Brown them on all sides. Add the grated garlic and cook for a minute. Then, add the chopped mushrooms and the cooked pasta, tossing everything together. Season with salt and pepper.
Make the Alfredo Sauce: In a separate pan, melt the butter. Once melted, add the flour and stir until there are no lumps. Gradually add the milk and cream, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens. Add the shredded Parmesan and cheddar cheeses and stir until melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Assemble the Bake: Spoon ¾ of the Alfredo sauce into the pasta mixture and toss to combine. Transfer the pasta to a baking dish and pour the remaining sauce over the top. Cover with shredded mozzarella cheese.
Bake: Bake the dish in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Optionally, turn on the top grill for a few minutes to get a nice golden top.
Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley and enjoy!

Nutrients (Approximate per serving)

Calories: 550 kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 34g
Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
Sodium: 850mg
Potassium: 450mg
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 4g
Vitamin A: 800 IU
Vitamin C: 4mg
Calcium: 400mg
Iron: 3mg

Why Chicken Alfredo Bake is the Ultimate Comfort Food

Chicken Alfredo Bake is the quintessential comfort food, bringing together classic flavors in a simple, easy-to-prepare dish. The richness of the Alfredo sauce, with its creamy texture and cheesy flavor, perfectly complements the tender chicken and crispy bacon. The mushrooms add an earthy note, while the rotini pasta provides a satisfying base that soaks up the sauce, making every bite flavorful and comforting.

What makes this dish truly special is its versatility. It can be easily customized to suit your tastes or dietary needs. Whether you prefer more vegetables, extra cheese, or a different type of pasta, Chicken Alfredo Bake offers room for creativity. It’s a dish that appeals to all ages and is a crowd-pleaser at gatherings, ensuring everyone leaves the table satisfied.

The Ingredients of Chicken Alfredo Bake

To create the perfect Chicken Alfredo Bake, several key ingredients come together to create layers of flavor. Let’s take a closer look at what goes into this delicious dish:

Pasta: The rotini pasta is an ideal choice for this dish because its spiral shape allows it to hold onto the creamy sauce perfectly. Other pasta types like penne or fusilli can also be used, but rotini’s grooves make it an excellent choice.
Chicken and Bacon: The chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks, offer lean protein that pairs wonderfully with the crispy, savory bacon. The bacon not only adds a salty crunch but also enhances the dish with its rich flavor.
Mushrooms: Brown mushrooms are sautéed with the chicken, bacon, and onions, contributing an earthy flavor that balances the richness of the sauce. Their tender texture complements the other ingredients beautifully.
Alfredo Sauce: The sauce is the heart of this dish, made by combining butter, flour, milk, cream, and cheese. The creamy texture comes from the mixture of milk and cream, while the Parmesan and cheddar cheeses give the sauce its velvety consistency and rich flavor.
Mozzarella Cheese: The shredded mozzarella cheese is sprinkled on top before baking, creating a gooey, golden layer that ties the entire dish together. It adds a beautiful texture and extra flavor to the top layer of the bake.
Seasonings: Simple ingredients like garlic, salt, and pepper are used to season the dish, bringing out the natural flavors of the chicken, bacon, and vegetables. The seasoning can be adjusted to taste to suit personal preferences.

How to Make Chicken Alfredo Bake

Making Chicken Alfredo Bake is a simple, straightforward process, but the layers of flavor you’ll create will make it seem like an elegant dish. Here’s a breakdown of the process:

Cook the Pasta: Start by cooking the rotini pasta according to the instructions. Drain and toss it with a little olive oil to prevent it from sticking together.
Cook the Chicken and Bacon: In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chopped bacon and onion, and cook until the bacon is crispy and the onion is softened. Add the chicken chunks and brown them on all sides. Once the chicken is cooked through, add grated garlic and cook for another minute. Add the chopped mushrooms, and cook until tender. Toss the cooked pasta into this mixture and season with salt and pepper.
Make the Alfredo Sauce: In a separate saucepan, melt the butter. Stir in the flour to create a roux, and cook for a minute until it’s free of lumps. Gradually add the milk and cream, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens. Once the sauce is thickened, stir in the Parmesan and cheddar cheeses, allowing them to melt into the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Assemble the Bake: Spoon ¾ of the Alfredo sauce into the pasta mixture and toss to combine. Transfer everything to a baking dish and pour the remaining sauce over the top. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake at 180°C for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. For an extra golden top, turn on the grill for the last few minutes of baking.
Serve: Garnish the Chicken Alfredo Bake with chopped parsley to add a pop of color and freshness. Serve hot, and enjoy the rich, creamy flavors of this comforting dish.

Health Benefits of Chicken Alfredo Bake

While Chicken Alfredo Bake is undeniably indulgent, it still provides some nutritional benefits. Here’s a breakdown of the key ingredients and their health contributions:

Chicken: Chicken is a lean protein source, making it an excellent choice for a filling and nutritious meal. It provides essential amino acids needed for muscle repair and growth.
Bacon: While bacon adds richness and flavor, it should be consumed in moderation due to its higher fat content. However, it also provides a source of protein and healthy fats, particularly when used in small amounts as a flavor enhancer.
Mushrooms: Mushrooms are low in calories and high in antioxidants, providing a variety of nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They are also a good source of selenium, which supports immune health.
Cheese: Parmesan and cheddar cheeses provide calcium, vitamin D, and protein, which are beneficial for bone health. While they are higher in fat, they contribute to the dish’s creamy texture and flavor.
Cream and Milk: The cream and milk in the Alfredo sauce provide a rich, comforting texture, while also offering a good amount of calcium and vitamin D, which support bone health.

Although this dish is higher in calories due to the richness of the sauce and cheese, it can still fit into a balanced diet when enjoyed in moderation. The combination of protein from the chicken and cheese, along with the fiber from the mushrooms and pasta, makes this a satisfying meal that can keep you full and energized.

Tips for Perfect Chicken Alfredo Bake

Make it Lighter: If you’re looking for a lighter version, you can swap out the heavy cream for half-and-half or use a lower-fat milk. You can also opt for a smaller amount of cheese or use lower-fat cheese options.
Customize the Veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables to the bake, such as spinach, bell peppers, or zucchini. These will add more flavor, color, and nutrients to the dish.
Use a Different Type of Pasta: While rotini is a great choice for this recipe, you can use other pasta types like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli if you prefer.
Make it in Advance: This dish is great for meal prep. You can assemble the Chicken Alfredo Bake a day ahead, refrigerate it, and then bake it when ready to serve. This makes it an ideal option for busy weeknights.
Add a Crispy Topping: For an extra crispy texture, consider sprinkling some breadcrumbs on top of the mozzarella cheese before baking. This will give the bake an additional layer of crunch.

Conclusion

Chicken Alfredo Bake is the ultimate comfort food that combines the richness of Alfredo sauce, the savory flavor of chicken and bacon, and the satisfying texture of pasta. With its creamy sauce, golden mozzarella topping, and hearty ingredients, it’s the perfect meal for any occasion, from family dinners to cozy nights in. Whether you’re making it for a weeknight meal or a special gathering, Chicken Alfredo Bake is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Plus, the leftovers make for a delicious next-day lunch, making it an excellent choice for meal prep. Indulge in this creamy, cheesy dish, and enjoy the comfort it brings to your table.

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