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Chicken Penne Casserole

Chicken Penne Casserole

April 24, 2017 Teresa Leave a Comment

  Gluten Free Living – 2017

Chicken Penne Casserole is the ultimate Italian fare feast! This delicious casserole has a quick and easy sauce mixed with chicken, bell peppers, gluten free pasta and loads of cheese. It’s double layered with the pasta and cheese between and on top of each layer. It’s so completely satisfying and delicious that it’s sure to become a family favorite.

Yes, you heard right. I made this dish with gluten free pasta! Make no mistake, some gluten free pastas are horrible. But Ronzoni makes one these days that’s terrific. Most gluten free pastas are made with almost all rice or brown rice flour. They are so starchy that when you boil them the pot is filled with a silt-like substance after cooking. My husband humors me a lot, but he just can’t stand to eat most of those GF pastas. However, when I found the Ronzoni GF pasta last summer and tasted it, I was convinced. Better than that, my husband can’t hardly taste the difference so he will actually eat GF dishes made with Ronzoni pasta.

A friend of ours from our church care group underwent gall bladder surgery last month. I made up a batch of this casserole for her family during her recovery. I also sent along a delicious Creamy Blackberry Salad and Almond Joy Blondies which were a big hit.

If you’re looking for a dynamite casserole to serve your family and friends, then Chicken Penne Casserole is scrumptious. You can substitute regular penne pasta if you don’t have gluten intolerance, but it’s certainly delicious with the gluten free pasta. Prepare yourself for an explosion of flavor and comfort food extraordinaire.

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Chicken Penne Casserole is so hearty and satisfying.

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I used gluten free pasta, but regular pasta works as well.

Chicken Penne Casserole | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fantastic #pasta dish with #chicken and loads of #cheese. I used #glutenfree #penne. #casserole #Italian

Chicken Penne Pasta is great to serve for company.

 

Here’s what I did.

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I used these ingredients. I ended up using two different cheese blends because my Mozzarella cheese had gone bad. I used a 6-cheese Italian blend and a blend of romano-asiago-parmesan.

While I used chicken thighs, you can also use leftover rotisserie chicken if you desire. Add it in with the sauce ingredients later in the recipe.

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Place olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chicken. Saute about 5-7 minutes until chicken browns on all sides. (The chicken does not have to cook all the way through at this point).

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Add onions and bell peppers.

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Add seasonings.

Chicken Penne Casserole | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fantastic #pasta dish with #chicken and loads of #cheese. I used #glutenfree #penne. #casserole #Italian

Saute until chicken is cooked through and opaque – about 8-10 minutes. Add garlic and saute about a minute until garlic is fragrant.

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Pulse tomatoes and tomato paste in a blender until smooth. I have a chopper option on my immersion blender that makes this really easy. 

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Add pureed tomato mixture and chicken broth. Cover with lid. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, about 10-15 minutes until mixture has thickened.

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Meanwhile, cook pasta according to directions. Drain. Add drained, cooked penne pasta.

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Stir ingredients well to combine.

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Grease an 8×12″ glass baking dish. Pour half of the pasta mixture into prepared dish.

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Top with half of the cheeses.

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Spoon remaining pasta mixture over top of cheese layer.

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Sprinkle remaining cheeses over top of casserole. Cover with foil and bake about 30 minutes.

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Remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes until cheese is melted and casserole is bubbly. Garnish with fresh oregano if desired.

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This pasta is great served with your favorite salad and bread.

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I served Chicken Penne Casserole garnished with extra cheese and fresh oregano. This cheesy casserole is the ultimate comfort food.

 

Here’s the recipe.

CHICKEN PENNE CASSEROLE

(Recipe adapted from Taste of Home)

Print Recipe
Chicken Penne Casserole BigOven - Save recipe or add to grocery list Yum
This amazing pasta dish is made with chicken instead of beef, a quick homemade sauce & gluten free penne pasta. It's also loaded with several cheese blends for a cheesy texture you'll love. Comfort food extraordinaire!
Chicken Penne Casserole | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fantastic #pasta dish with #chicken and loads of #cheese. I used #glutenfree #penne. #casserole #Italian
Course Chicken Main Dish, Chicken/Pasta, Pasta Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Passive Time 15 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 cups uncooked Ronzoni gluten free penne pasta
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1 1/2 lbs. boneless chicken thighs cut into one-inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup green bell pepper chopped
  • 1/2 cup red bell pepper chopped
  • 1/2 cup onion chopped
  • 1 tsp. basil
  • 1 tsp. oregano
  • 1 tsp. parsley
  • 1/2 tsp. sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes undrained
  • 3 tbsp. tomato paste
  • 3/4 cup chicken broth
  • 8 oz. mozzarella cheese shredded (I used an Italian six-cheese blend)
  • 1 cup parmesan-romano-asiago cheese blend shredded
  • fresh oregano for garnish, if desired
Course Chicken Main Dish, Chicken/Pasta, Pasta Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Passive Time 15 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 cups uncooked Ronzoni gluten free penne pasta
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1 1/2 lbs. boneless chicken thighs cut into one-inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup green bell pepper chopped
  • 1/2 cup red bell pepper chopped
  • 1/2 cup onion chopped
  • 1 tsp. basil
  • 1 tsp. oregano
  • 1 tsp. parsley
  • 1/2 tsp. sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes undrained
  • 3 tbsp. tomato paste
  • 3/4 cup chicken broth
  • 8 oz. mozzarella cheese shredded (I used an Italian six-cheese blend)
  • 1 cup parmesan-romano-asiago cheese blend shredded
  • fresh oregano for garnish, if desired
Chicken Penne Casserole | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fantastic #pasta dish with #chicken and loads of #cheese. I used #glutenfree #penne. #casserole #Italian
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350°.
  2. Grease an 8x12” glass baking dish.
  3. Set aside.
  4. Cook pasta according to package directions.
  5. Meanwhile, pour olive oil into a large skillet.
  6. Add chicken and sauté about 5-7 minutes, turning to brown on all sides.
  7. Add onion, bell peppers and seasonings and sauté until chicken is cooked through and opaque, about 8-10 minutes.
  8. Add garlic and sauté about a minute, until garlic is fragrant.
  9. In a blender, pulse tomatoes and paste until pureed.
  10. Add tomato mixture to chicken mixture in skillet.
  11. Stir in chicken broth.
  12. Cover with lid and simmer over reduced heat about 10-15 minutes, until mixture is thickened.
  13. Drain pasta and toss with chicken mixture. Spread half of the pasta mixture into prepared baking dish.
  14. Sprinkle with half of the cheeses.
  15. Spread remaining pasta mixture over top of cheese layer and top again with remaining cheeses.
  16. Cover with foil and bake about 30 minutes.
  17. Remove foil and bake an additional 15-20 minutes until casserole is heated through.
  18. If desired, garnish with fresh oregano and additional cheese.
Recipe Notes
Recipe adapted from Taste of Home.

Chicken Penne Casserole | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fantastic #pasta dish with #chicken and loads of #cheese. I used #glutenfree #penne. #casserole #Italian

Every bite of Chicken Penne Casserole is mouthwatering. I used a six-cheese blend along with a blended cheese of parmesan, asiago and romano. Yum.

Chicken Penne Casserole | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fantastic #pasta dish with #chicken and loads of #cheese. I used #glutenfree #penne. #casserole #Italian

Yes, it’s LOADED with cheese!

Chicken Penne Casserole | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fantastic #pasta dish with #chicken and loads of #cheese. I used #glutenfree #penne. #casserole #Italian

If you enjoy pasta but prefer an alternative to beef, than this is the casserole for you!

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Grilled Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato & Mushroom Pasta

Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato and Mushroom Pasta | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

You may find these items helpful for making this recipe.

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Teresa @ Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Hi, I'm Teresa. I'm an avid thrift shopper, a lover of my sweet Shelty dogs, an unabashed watcher of Hallmark Movie Channel Chick Flicks, and an enthusiastic walker. I also LOVE to cook. I find cooking for family and friends so delightful and enjoyable that I want to share those experiences with you! I hope you enjoy browsing through the archives to find just the right recipe for your family meal, company dinner, potluck or tailgating party. Bon Appetit! Read More…

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