Description
This Creamy Baked Feta Pasta recipe combines tender baked chicken, juicy roma tomatoes, and a block of creamy feta cheese to create a luscious, flavorful sauce. Baked together and tossed with your favorite pasta, this dish offers a perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and savory flavors, enhanced with warm spices and optional heat from chili flakes and cayenne pepper. It’s an easy one-dish dinner idea that’s both comforting and impressive.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese
- 1 block feta cheese about 200g (full-fat, not crumbled)
Vegetables
- 400 g Roma tomatoes about 2 cups
Protein
- 1 boneless skinless chicken breast cut into bite sized cubes
Spices and Seasonings
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon chicken seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried chili flakes (optional)
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Others
- 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil plus more for drizzling
- 250 g pasta your favorite variety
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grab a medium baking dish with no need to line it.
- Prepare Ingredients: Add the Roma tomatoes and cubed chicken breast to the baking dish.
- Season Chicken and Tomatoes: Season the chicken with salt, thyme, garlic and onion powder, chicken seasoning, chili flakes, and cayenne pepper if using. Add 1–2 tablespoons of olive oil and mix everything thoroughly to coat evenly.
- Add Feta Cheese: Make a space in the center of the dish and place the block of full-fat feta cheese there.
- Drizzle Olive Oil: Generously drizzle olive oil over the entire dish for extra richness and to help with roasting.
- Bake: Bake uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the tomatoes have softened and begun to burst.
- Cook Pasta: While the baking is in progress, cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions for about 10-12 minutes until al dente.
- Drain Pasta: Drain the cooked pasta and set aside, reserving a splash of the pasta water for later.
- Mash Baked Ingredients: Once baked, use a fork or spoon to mash the feta and tomatoes together, creating a creamy, saucy base.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the baking dish and stir until well coated with the sauce. Use reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and achieve desired consistency.
- Add Fresh Herbs (Optional): Stir in spinach or fresh basil if you like for added freshness and flavor.
- Serve: Serve warm straight from the dish for a comforting and delicious meal.
Notes
- One medium chicken breast is perfect for 2–3 servings.
- Use full-fat feta for the creamiest texture and best flavor.
- Customize the seasoning to your taste with blends like Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, or curry powder.
- Leftovers keep well for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Reheat with a splash of water or milk to refresh the creamy sauce.
Keywords: Baked feta pasta, creamy pasta, chicken pasta, tomato feta sauce, easy baked pasta recipe, Mediterranean pasta