# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 14 oz penne pasta
→ Chicken
02 - 1.1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
03 - 1 tbsp olive oil
04 - 1/2 tsp salt
05 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Alfredo Sauce
06 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
07 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
09 - 2 cups whole milk
10 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
11 - 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 - 1/2 tsp salt
13 - 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
→ Cheese Topping
14 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
15 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
16 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook penne pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced chicken, season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 5-7 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
04 - In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Sprinkle flour over the butter mixture, stirring constantly for 1 minute to cook out raw flour taste.
05 - Gradually whisk in whole milk and heavy cream. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer while whisking continuously. Continue cooking for 3-4 minutes until sauce slightly thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
06 - Remove skillet from heat. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and nutmeg until cheese is completely melted and sauce is smooth and creamy.
07 - In a large mixing bowl, add cooked pasta, seasoned chicken, and Alfredo sauce. Toss thoroughly until pasta and chicken are evenly coated with sauce.
08 - Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and additional Parmesan cheese uniformly across the top.
09 - Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is fully melted, bubbling, and lightly golden in spots. Remove from oven when cheese topping achieves desired golden color.
10 - Allow casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps sauce set and makes serving easier. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley just before serving.
