Chicken pasta bake

Name: Chicken pasta bake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: European, Italian, Mediterranean
Ingredients: 500g / 1 lb chicken thighs (, cut into small bite size pieces (Note 1)); 1/2 tsp cooking/kosher salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 2 tsp Italian herb mix (, any store bought type); 300g/10oz rigatoni ((or penne, elbow macaroni, shells or similar)); 2 tsp salt (, for cooking pasta); 5 slices streaky bacon; 1/2 onion (, finely chopped); 2 garlic cloves (, minced); 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano; 1/2 tsp chilli flakes / red pepper flakes; 1/2 cup chardonnay or other dry white wine ((Note 2)); 2 tbsp tomato paste; 700g / 24oz tomato passata ((Note 3)); 1/2 cup water; 1 tsp cooking/kosher salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 3 tomatoes (, cut into 8 wedges then halved); 2 big handfuls baby spinach ((or bite size kale)); 2 cups mozzarella, (shredded); 1/2 cup (tightly packed) parmesan, (finely shredded)

Instructions

Prep:15minCook:45min

Recipe video above. Everything a chicken pasta bake should be - big, juicy, bubbly, cosy, with loads of extra tasty sauce, sizzling seasoned chicken, bacon and plenty of cheese. Nice change from the usual creamy pasta bakes!This is a complete meal with starch, protein and veg so you won't need a side salad for this. Love the juicy chunks of tomato!

Updated at: Sun, 28 Dec 2025 10:26:04 GMT