A comforting and flavorful Banana Pepper Chicken Alfredo Bake featuring tender chicken, creamy Alfredo sauce, and a spicy kick from banana peppers, baked to golden perfection with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
Total Time:40 minutes
Yield:6 servings
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or cubed
12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta
1 ½ cups Alfredo sauce (store-bought or homemade)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup banana peppers, sliced (mild or hot, to taste)
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the Alfredo chicken pasta bake.
Cook the Pasta: Boil the penne or rigatoni pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Sauté Aromatics and Peppers: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sliced banana peppers, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, cooked pasta, Alfredo sauce, sautéed garlic and banana peppers, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix everything well to ensure even distribution of flavors.
Assemble the Bake: Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan evenly over the top.
Bake the Dish: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown on top.
Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and let it cool slightly. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving for a fresh touch.
Notes
Use rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken for a quick prep.
Adjust the amount of banana peppers according to your spice preference.
Substitute Alfredo sauce with a homemade white sauce for fresher taste.
For extra creaminess, stir in a little cream cheese or heavy cream into the Alfredo sauce before combining.