This is a great, simple recipe for just about anyone - even the pickiest of eaters! After all, who doesn't love cheese? Now that the weather's getting colder, it's a great comfort dish for those chilly evenings when you want to eat dinner on the couch!
ingredients:
two to four shredded seasoned chicken breast tenderloins
one 12 oz box of ziti (or any other pasta) ... you can use a smaller amount if desired
homemade alfredo sauce (will be explained down below!)
2 cups shredded mozzarella
2.5 tbsp butter
1/4 cup unseasoned panko bread crumbs
anything else you would like to add! fresh spices are great, red pepper for a twist
alfredo sauce ingredients:
2 tbsp of minced garlic
1 cup chicken broth
1 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp all purpose flour
1 cup milk (preferably low fat)
1 cup grated or shredded parmesan cheese
a pinch of salt
a pinch, or two, or three of black pepper
alfredo sauce directions:
1) heat olive oil in large pan over medium/high heat. add garlic and saute until you start to smell the fragrance. add flour, stir. saute for a few minutes, until mixture becomes thick
2) slowly add chicken broth, whisk to combine. slowly add milk as well, continue to whisk so mixture is smooth. bring to a simmer. let thicken and add parmesan cheese, salt & pepper. set sauce aside
directions:
1) cook chicken breasts in a pan, can be seasoned however you would like - I like to marinate a whole package overnight and then save a couple of the tenderloins for this dish (I usually use lemon juice, black pepper, italian seasonings, mustard and sriracha as a marinade for this)
2) preheat over to 375 degrees fahrenheit
3) cook pasta according to package directions, al dente preferred, drain
* while pasta is cooking, put butter into a small pan and heat on low heat atop the stove. when butter is melted, add in panko breadcrumbs and stir them around until they begin to turn a golden brown
4) mix pasta, chicken and alfredo sauce
5) pour half of the mix into a greased 9 x 13 casserole dish
6) pour one cup of the mozzarella over the mix
7) cover the layer of cheese with the rest of the pasta/chicken/sauce mix
8) sprinkle evenly with the remaining cheese and browned panko breadcrumbs
9) bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the top turns a nice, crispy looking, golden color
10) sprinkle with additional toppings if desired, serve and enjoy!
Let us know if you try this and what you think of it... happy eating :)