---
title: Cheesy Chicken Penne Bake
source:
  name: HelloFresh
  url: https://www.hellofresh.com/recipes/cheesy-chicken-penne-bake-5d6046777aa3c20014588bde
servings: 2
prep time: 10 minutes
cook time: 20 minutes
time required: 30 minutes
difficulty: Easy
allergens:
  - Wheat
  - Milk
tags:
  - Comfort Food
  - Quick
  - Pasta
  - Cheesy
  - Casserole
rating: 4.5
rating_count: 3200
source_chef: Michelle Doll Olson
review_highlights: []
image: "https://images.recipes.furrysalamander.com/cheesy-chicken-penne-bake.avif"
---
Preheat oven to 500°F or heat broiler to high. Bring a #large pot{} of salted water to a boil. Wash and dry all produce. Trim and quarter @zucchini{1%unit} lengthwise; cut crosswise into ½-inch-thick pieces. Place 1 tbsp @butter{2%tbsp} in a #medium bowl{}; microwave in ~{10%seconds} intervals until melted. Stir in @panko breadcrumbs{1%oz}; season with salt and pepper.

Pat @chicken breast strips{8%oz} dry with paper towels. Heat a large drizzle of @olive oil{1%tbsp} in a #large pan{} over medium-high heat. Add chicken; season with salt, pepper, and half the @Tuscan Heat Spice{1%unit}. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through ~{5%minutes}. Turn off heat; transfer to a #medium bowl{}. Wipe out pan.

Once water is boiling, add @penne pasta{4%oz} to pot. Cook until al dente ~{10%minutes}. Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water, then drain.

Meanwhile, heat another large drizzle of olive oil in the pan used for chicken over medium-high heat. Add zucchini and remaining Tuscan Heat Spice; cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and tender ~{7%minutes}. Reduce heat to medium low.

Add @marinara cup{4%oz}, @chicken stock concentrate{1%unit}, and chicken to pan. Stir in drained penne, ¼ cup reserved pasta cooking water, and remaining butter. If needed, stir in more reserved cooking water 1 tbsp at a time until penne is thoroughly coated in sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If your pan isn’t ovenproof, transfer mixture to an oven-safe baking dish.

Sprinkle pasta mixture with @mozzarella cheese{1.5%oz} and panko. Broil or bake until cheese is melted and bubbly and panko is golden ~{3%minutes}. Watch carefully for any burning. Serve straight from the pan.