Classic Chicken Pot Pie Pasta (Printable)
Creamy chicken and vegetables tossed with pasta, topped with crispy Parmesan breadcrumbs.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
→ Pasta
02 - 12 oz short pasta (penne or rotini)
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 cup frozen peas and carrots blend
04 - 1/2 cup frozen corn
05 - 1/2 cup diced celery
06 - 1/2 cup diced onion
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Sauce
08 - 3 tbsp unsalted butter
09 - 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
10 - 2 cups chicken broth
11 - 1 cup whole milk
12 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme
13 - 1/2 tsp dried parsley
14 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
15 - 3/4 tsp salt
→ Topping
16 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
17 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
18 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
02 - Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
03 - In a large skillet, melt 3 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and garlic; sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
04 - Sprinkle flour into the skillet and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to incorporate and cook out raw flour taste.
05 - Gradually whisk in chicken broth and milk, ensuring no lumps form. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3–4 minutes until sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
06 - Stir in thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper. Add shredded chicken, peas, carrots, and corn; cook for 2 minutes until everything is heated through.
07 - Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss until well combined with the creamy chicken mixture.
08 - Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
09 - In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and melted butter. Mix until crumbs are evenly coated.
10 - Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the casserole.
11 - Bake for 20–25 minutes until the sauce is bubbling around the edges and the topping is golden brown and crispy.
12 - Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set slightly for easier serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It transforms ordinary leftovers into something that feels special enough for Sunday supper but easy enough for a Tuesday.
- The crispy Parmesan topping creates this irresistible contrast against the tender pasta underneath that makes everyone reach for seconds.
02 -
- The sauce will look thin when you combine it with the pasta but thickens considerably during baking, so do not be tempted to add more flour.
- Leftover roasted turkey from holidays actually works even better than chicken since the meat has more flavor from the roasting process.
03 -
- Grate your own Parmesan from a wedge rather than buying pre-grated cheese for better melting and deeper flavor.
- Let the casserole rest the full 5 minutes before serving—it makes a huge difference in how cleanly it scoops onto plates.