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Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta Bake with Cream Cheese and Parmesan

This creamy lemon chicken pasta bake is an easy one-dish dinner made with tender chicken, pasta, Parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon zest, and a whole block of cream cheese that melts into a rich and smooth sauce while baking. It is a simple comfort meal with bright lemon flavor and minimal preparation.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Dinner
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 8 ounces pasta
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 8-ounce block cream cheese

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Add chicken pieces, pasta, chicken stock, Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, garlic, and salt to a 13×9-inch baking dish.
  3. Stir the ingredients together until evenly combined and the pasta is mostly covered with liquid.
  4. Place the block of cream cheese in the center of the baking dish.
  5. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
  6. Bake until the chicken is cooked through and the pasta is tender.
  7. Remove the foil and stir the cream cheese into the pasta mixture until it melts and creates a creamy sauce.
  8. Serve warm.

Notes

  • The entire block of cream cheese melts into the pasta after baking to create a rich and creamy sauce.
  • Baking the pasta, chicken, and sauce ingredients together makes preparation simple.
  • Keep the dish covered while baking to help the pasta cook evenly.
  • Lemon zest adds freshness and balances the richness of the cream cheese and Parmesan.
  • Stir thoroughly after baking so the cream cheese combines evenly.