Can I substitute the wine?

Of course. You can substitute the wine with ½ cup chicken broth mixed with 1 teaspoon lemon juice for a similar flavor profile.

How should I store leftovers?

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can reheat them in the microwave, but do so in 30-second to 1-minute intervals, so the pasta bake heats evenly.

What should I serve with Creamy Garlic-Parmesan Chicken Pasta Bake?

Serve it with a fresh salad . If you use a prepared salad mix , simply add in some of your favorite seasonal vegetables. A good bread is always satisfying, and a glass of white wine, like a chardonnay or sauvignon blanc, would be a refreshing pairing.

Creamy Garlic-Parmesan Chicken Pasta Bake

Name: Creamy Garlic-Parmesan Chicken Pasta Bake
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 12 ounces whole-wheat rotini; 1 (10-ounce) package baby spinach; 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 1 small yellow onion, chopped (¾ cup); ½ teaspoon salt plus ⅛ teaspoon, divided; ½ teaspoon ground pepper; 2 (8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into ¾ -inch pieces; 1 teaspoon grated garlic; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; ½ cup dry white wine; 1¼ cups heavy cream; 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided; ½ cup chive-and-onion cream cheese

Active Time:

25 mins

Total Time:

40 mins

Servings:

6

Nutrition Profile:

No Added Sugar Sesame-Free Nut-Free Soy-Free High-Protein Egg-Free

Our Creamy Garlic-Parmesan Chicken Pasta Bake is reminiscent of a classic spinach dip, but in meal form. This satisfying dish has it all—fiber-filled whole-wheat pasta, protein-packed chicken breast and antioxidant-rich onions, garlic and spinach. The creaminess of the sauce is balanced out by the slight acidity of the crisp white wine—an unmatched flavor combo. Read on for our expert tips, including how to prevent the pasta from drying out in the oven.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!

Multitasking saves time: While the water for the pasta is coming to a boil, assemble the other ingredients and chop the onion. While the pasta is cooking, grate the cheese.
For best results, cook the pasta to al dente but don’t undercook it. If the pasta is undercooked, it will not absorb the sauce.
Level up the flavor in this dish by incorporating fresh or dried mushrooms like cremini, portobello, oyster, morel, chanterelle, porcini or shiitake.
Adding the layer of cheese on top of the pasta helps keep it from drying out in the oven.

Nutrition Notes

Chicken breast is a crowd-pleasing protein due to its versatility. It’s packed with B vitamins, which are essential for maintaining a healthy metabolism, and is a rich source of choline, which can benefit your metabolism and your brain health.
Compared to white pasta, the whole-wheat rotini used in this recipe provides extra fiber that may help improve your digestive health and, along with the protein in this recipe, will help keep you satisfied for a longer period of time.
Adding baby spinach to this recipe is an easy way to pack in extra nutrients. It’s rich in folate, an important B vitamin that helps break down proteins for your body to use them.
Even with the addition of heavy cream, making a garlic-Parmesan sauce from scratch is a much healthier option than a store-bought sauce. The fresh garlic in the sauce adds potent antioxidants to this dish that can help reduce inflammation.

Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

12 ounces whole-wheat rotini
1 (10-ounce) package baby spinach
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 small yellow onion, chopped (¾ cup)
½ teaspoon salt plus ⅛ teaspoon, divided
½ teaspoon ground pepper
2 (8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into ¾-inch pieces
1 teaspoon grated garlic
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
½ cup dry white wine
1¼ cups heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
½ cup chive-and-onion cream cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Bring a large saucepan of water to boil over high heat. Add 12 ounces pasta; cook according to package directions for al dente, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in spinach until wilted. Drain the mixture well.

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper; cook, stirring often, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add chicken; cook, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink on the outside, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in 1 teaspoon garlic; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
Reduce heat to medium-low. Add 2 tablespoons flour; cook, stirring constantly, until the chicken is coated and the flour smells nutty, about 45 seconds. Add ½ cup wine, scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen browned bits; cook, stirring often, until most of the wine has evaporated and the chicken is coated, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in 1¼ cups cream; bring just to a simmer over medium heat. Stir in the pasta mixture. Remove from heat.

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
Add ½ cup each Parmesan and cream cheese to the pasta mixture; stir to combine. Transfer to the prepared baking dish; top with the remaining ½ cup Parmesan and ⅛ teaspoon salt. Cover tightly with foil. Bake until warmed through and bubbling slightly around the edges, 15 to 20 minutes.

Nutrition Information

Serving Size: 1½ cups

Calories 683, Fat 37g, Saturated Fat 19g, Cholesterol 141mg, Carbohydrates 53g, Total Sugars 4g, Added Sugars 0g, Protein 35g, Fiber 7g, Sodium 772mg, Potassium 619mg

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I substitute the wine?

Of course. You can substitute the wine with ½ cup chicken broth mixed with 1 teaspoon lemon juice for a similar flavor profile.
How should I store leftovers?

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can reheat them in the microwave, but do so in 30-second to 1-minute intervals, so the pasta bake heats evenly.
What should I serve with Creamy Garlic-Parmesan Chicken Pasta Bake?

Serve it with a fresh salad. If you use a prepared salad mix, simply add in some of your favorite seasonal vegetables. A good bread is always satisfying, and a glass of white wine, like a chardonnay or sauvignon blanc, would be a refreshing pairing.

EatingWell.com, September 2024

Additional reporting by

Sarah Pflugradt, Ph.D., RDN, CSCS

and

Linda Frahm