Description

Marry Me Chicken Casserole is a creamy, comforting baked pasta dish featuring tender chicken breast, flavorful sundried tomatoes, and a rich parmesan cheese sauce infused with fresh herbs and a touch of spice. This hearty casserole combines tender egg noodles with a velvety sauce and is baked to bubbly perfection, making it a perfect family meal or weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

6 oz uncooked egg noodles

Chicken

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Sauce

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, divided
¼ cup butter
2 shallots, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ tsp red pepper flakes
2 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
⅓ cup unbleached all-purpose flour
2 cups chicken broth or stock
1 cup whole milk
½ cup sundried tomatoes, oil-packed and chopped
1 tsp Better Than Bouillon chicken paste
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
¾ cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
Torn fresh basil for topping

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
Cook Egg Noodles: Boil a pot of water and cook the egg noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water to halt cooking, drain again, and set aside.
Cook Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and cook while stirring occasionally for 5-7 minutes until no longer pink inside. Remove the chicken and set aside.
Sauté Aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining olive oil and butter to the skillet. Sauté shallots for about 2 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and fresh thyme, cooking for an additional minute until fragrant.
Make Sauce: Sprinkle in the flour and whisk continuously for 2 minutes to cook the flour. Gradually add chicken broth, milk, sundried tomatoes, chicken bouillon paste, salt, and pepper while whisking. Continue cooking and whisking the sauce until it thickens, about 4-5 minutes.
Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked chicken, prepared egg noodles, and ¼ cup of parmesan cheese to the sauce. Stir everything together until evenly combined.
Assemble Casserole: Pour the mixture into a greased 2-quart (or 9×13 inch) casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
Bake: Bake uncovered for 30 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and golden on top.
Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with torn fresh basil leaves. Optionally, top with extra freshly grated parmesan cheese before serving.

Notes

Use oil-packed sundried tomatoes for the best flavor and texture.
Cooking the noodles al dente prevents them from becoming mushy after baking.
You can substitute chicken breasts with thighs if preferred, but cooking times may vary slightly.
For a richer sauce, use whole milk, but 2% milk can be used for a lighter option.
Fresh thyme adds bright herbal notes, but dried thyme can be substituted in a pinch (use about 1 teaspoon dried).
If preferred, sprinkle extra parmesan on top halfway through baking for a crispier cheese crust.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Main Dish, Casserole
Method: Baking, Sautéing, Boiling
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1 cup)
Calories: 480 kcal
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 580 mg
Fat: 22 g
Saturated Fat: 9 g
Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 38 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 38 g
Cholesterol: 110 mg

Keywords: Marry Me Chicken, chicken casserole, baked chicken pasta, creamy chicken bake, sundried tomato chicken casserole, parmesan chicken bake