Creamy Chicken Casserole

Ingredients

• 2 cups uncooked pasta (such as rotini or penne)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound chicken breast (boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch pieces)
• salt and pepper (to taste)
• 1 medium onion (chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 cup chicken broth (low sodium)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
• 1 tablespoon butter (melted)

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat Oven:: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set it aside.

2. 2

   Cook the Pasta:: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.

3. 3

   Season and Sauté Chicken:: Season the diced chicken with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until they are no longer pink in the middle. Transfer the cooked chicken to a bowl.

4. 4

   Prepare the Aromatics:: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and garlic. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent.

5. 5

   Make the Sauce:: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream into the skillet. Stir well, loosening any bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. Add the shredded cheddar cheese and stir until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth. Incorporate the dried oregano and thyme into the sauce.

6. 6

   Combine Ingredients:: Add the cooked pasta and chicken to the skillet. Stir everything together to ensure the pasta and chicken are well-coated with the sauce. Pour the mixture into the prepared 9x13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

7. 7

   Prepare the Topping:: In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, and melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.

8. 8

   Bake:: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbly. Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes before serving.