Creamy Basil-Tomato Chicken Pasta Bake

This Creamy Basil-Tomato Chicken Pasta Bake is comfort food at its finest! We bake chicken breasts alongside juicy cherry tomatoes and creamy Boursin cheese, a soft, spreadable Gournay cheese known for its savory blend of herbs and garlic. Calabrian peppers add a subtle heat that balances the creaminess and brightens the dish, but you can easily leave them out if you prefer a milder version. This dinner will leave you full, thanks to the protein in the chicken and the fiber in the whole-wheat pasta. Read our expert tips and tricks below and try this easy chicken pasta bake yourself!

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!

• The chicken will not be finished cooking at the end of Step 3, but don’t worry. It will continue to cook when the casserole is returned to the oven in Step 5. 
• You can reserve more pasta water if needed (½ cup instead of ¼ cup). It’s a great backup if the sauce feels too thick or dry.
• Want to add some color to your dinner? Use yellow, orange or a mix of cherry tomatoes for a unique spin.

Nutrition Notes

• Chicken contains all nine essential amino acids that our bodies can’t produce, so eating this protein can help support your overall bodily functions, from muscle growth to the production of immune cells. Chicken is also a source of B vitamins, including niacin, folate and B6, which work to support a healthy metabolism.
• Whole-wheat pasta is an easy way to add more protein and fiber to your diet, compared to white pasta. Fiber is an important nutrient that can help increase good bacteria in your gut, reduce risk of certain cancers and promote better blood sugar levels. 
• Tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxidant that, when eaten regularly, may protect against heart disease. The lycopene in tomatoes may also reduce cancer risk, specifically when the tomatoes are cooked like they are in this recipe. Tomatoes also have a high water content to help hydrate the skin and body. 
• The cheese in this pasta bake adds protein and calcium, two nutrients that are essential for strong, healthy bones. However, cheese can also be high in sodium, so if you’re watching your sodium intake, consider swapping in a low-sodium cheese like mozzarella.