Creamy Chicken Suiza Pasta Bake: Your Ultimate Comfort Food Casserole
“Suiza”, or Swiss-style, enchiladas are renowned for their incredibly rich and creamy dairy-based sauces. This indulgent Chicken Suiza Pasta Bake takes that inspiration and translates it into a hearty, soul-warming pasta dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Imagine tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a luscious, cheesy green chili sauce, all baked to golden perfection. This recipe isn’t just a meal; it’s a comforting embrace, designed to bring warmth and joy to your family and friends. Best of all, it’s remarkably easy to prepare and yields enough to generously serve a crowd, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or festive gatherings.
As the holiday season approaches, life often becomes a delightful whirlwind of activities, family gatherings, and countless to-dos. This year, like many, has been incredibly hectic, requiring a strategic rebalancing of priorities. Sometimes, that means certain aspects, like updating my blog, take a back burner. But fear not, because when I do manage to share a recipe, it’s always one worth the wait – and this Chicken Suiza Pasta Bake casserole truly delivers! It’s a testament to the idea that some things are worth carving out time for, especially when they bring so much comfort and joy to those you love.
Speaking of cherished moments, my husband and I recently celebrated five wonderful years of marital bliss. And yes, “bliss” comes with a knowing wink and a touch of sarcasm, because if you’ve been married, you understand that it’s a journey filled with love, laughter, and a fair bit of “work.” But it’s a beautiful, rewarding journey, completely worth every effort to grow together. We strive to make each other better, fostering patience, shedding stubbornness, and learning to forgive quickly, especially for the small things that truly won’t matter in the long run. We believe these are the cornerstones of a lasting partnership.
To mark this special milestone, we indulged in a fantastic, kid-free Disney weekend! Seriously, if you ever find yourself in a position to experience Disney without the little ones, I wholeheartedly recommend it. We embarked on a series of fascinating behind-the-scenes tours, exploring the magic from a new perspective, and just had an absolute blast. We rode all our favorite rides – *together*, without having to worry about height restrictions or snack breaks. We enjoyed truly elegant dinners, the kind where you can actually savor each bite without the delightful, yet frequent, interruption of a bathroom trip. It was truly a wonderful, rejuvenating escape.
We even captured a few silly moments, like trying to smooch for the photographer and repeatedly bumping hats. We are such dorks, but those are the memories that make life so rich.
Any-hoots, back to the star of the show…
…this incredible Chicken Suiza Pasta Bake casserole. It is nothing short of delicious. Every bite is a symphony of creamy, cheesy goodness, with a subtle, earthy kick from the mild green chilies. This dish is an absolute lifesaver, especially during the bustling holiday season, because it’s designed to serve a generous crowd, and the leftovers are simply divine, reheating perfectly without losing any of their comforting appeal. Imagine having this ready in your fridge for unexpected visitors or for those nights when you’re simply too tired to cook after a long day of holiday errands.
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Suiza Pasta Bake
- Crowd-Pleasing Perfection: Whether it’s a family dinner, a potluck, or a holiday gathering, this casserole is guaranteed to be a hit. Its rich flavors and comforting texture appeal to almost everyone.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare it in advance, and simply bake when you’re ready to serve. This is a huge time-saver during busy periods, freeing you up to enjoy quality time with loved ones.
- Gentle Green Chili Flavor: The recipe uses mild green chilies, providing a wonderful depth of flavor without any overwhelming heat. It’s “safe” for even the most sensitive palates, making it truly family-friendly.
- Economical & Hearty: Chicken thighs are a flavorful and affordable cut, and pasta bakes are known for their ability to stretch a meal. This dish is substantial and satisfying.
- The Ultimate Comfort Food: There’s just something about creamy, cheesy pasta that speaks to the soul. This bake is the epitome of comfort, perfect for warming you from the inside out.
Beyond being a fantastic meal for your own table, this Chicken Suiza Pasta Bake makes a thoughtful and much-appreciated gift. Imagine bringing this bubbling, fragrant casserole to a friend who could use a little extra comfort, perhaps someone recovering from illness, a new parent, or simply a busy neighbor. It’s the kind of edible hug that only creamy pasta can provide, a gesture of care and warmth that truly brightens someone’s day.
The “Suiza” Secret: Creaminess Redefined
The name “Suiza” translates to “Swiss” in Spanish, and it implies a dish that is exceptionally rich with dairy products, particularly cream and cheese. While traditionally applied to enchiladas, this pasta bake captures that essence beautifully. Our version piles on the creamy, cheesy goodness, ensuring every forkful is a decadent experience. The blend of Mexican cheeses melts into a luscious blanket over the pasta and chicken, while sour cream adds a delightful tang and extra silkiness to the sauce. This isn’t just a nod to “Suiza”; it’s a full-hearted embrace of its creamy, comforting spirit.
Tips for Perfecting Your Pasta Bake
- Chicken Choice: While bone-in, skinless chicken thighs are recommended for their flavor and juiciness, feel free to use boneless, skinless thighs or even chicken breast. If using breast, ensure not to overcook it to maintain tenderness. Shredded rotisserie chicken is also a fantastic shortcut!
- The Roux is Key: Don’t rush the roux (butter and flour mixture). Cooking it for a minute or two ensures that the raw flour taste is eliminated, and it helps create a smooth, thick sauce.
- Slowly Whisk in Milk: Adding milk gradually and whisking constantly prevents lumps, resulting in a velvety smooth green chili cheese sauce.
- Al Dente Pasta: Cook your pasta to al dente, meaning it’s still slightly firm to the bite. Since it will continue to cook in the oven, this prevents it from becoming mushy. Ziti, penne, or even rotini work wonderfully.
- Cheese Blend: A 4-cheese Mexican blend offers a fantastic melty texture and savory flavor, but feel free to experiment with Monterey Jack, cheddar, or a mix of your favorites.
- Topping for Texture: The panko bread crumbs mixed with Parmesan and olive oil provide a delightful crunch and extra flavor, creating a golden, irresistible crust.
Serving Suggestions & Variations
This Chicken Suiza Pasta Bake is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a simple side salad dressed with a light vinaigrette to cut through the richness. A side of warm, crusty bread is also fantastic for soaking up every last bit of that amazing sauce.
Feeling adventurous? Here are a few ways to customize this dish:
- Add Veggies: Stir in a can of drained corn, black beans, or even some sautéed bell peppers and onions to the sauce for extra nutrition and flavor.
- Spice it Up: If you prefer more heat, swap out one can of mild green chilies for a can of diced jalapeños, or sprinkle in a pinch of cayenne pepper with the salt. A dash of hot sauce on top before serving also works wonders.
- Different Protein: While chicken is classic, consider using cooked ground beef or shredded pork for a different take.
- Garnish Options: Besides fresh parsley, a dollop of extra sour cream, sliced avocado, or even some pickled jalapeños can add a fresh touch to individual servings.
This Chicken Suiza Pasta Bake truly embodies the spirit of easy, delicious, and comforting home cooking. It’s a dish that brings people together, makes busy lives a little simpler, and always leaves everyone feeling satisfied and happy. So go ahead, whip up this magnificent casserole and let its creamy, cheesy, green chili goodness warm your soul. Feliz Navidad to you and yours, and happy cooking!
Chicken Suiza Pasta Bake
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Ingredients
- 2 lbs skinless bone-in chicken thighs
- kosher salt
- fresh cracked pepper
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 4 cups milk
- 4 cups 4-cheese Mexican blend shredded cheeses divided
- 1 cup reduced fat sour cream
- 2 (4 oz) cans chopped green chilies
- 1 lb ziti shaped pasta uncooked
- ¼ cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 Tbsp freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- ½ tsp extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Instructions
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Season the chicken with salt and pepper and grill or bake until cooked through but juicy, with the juices no longer pink. This can be done on the grill for ~20 minutes or in the oven at 400°F for ~20-25 minutes. Either way, the chicken is done when the internal thigh temperature reaches 165°F. Set aside until chicken is cool enough to handle, then remove the meat and chop.
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Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
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Meanwhile, make the green chili cheese sauce: whisk the butter and flour together in a large sauce pan over medium-high heat until smooth and bubbly. Once bubbly, cook ~1-2 minutes to form a roux. Slowly whisk in the milk and cook, stirring constantly, until milk is very warm and just starting to give off a bit of steam. Remove from the heat and whisk in 2 cups shredded cheese and sour cream until smooth. Add 1 teaspoon of salt. Stir in the green chilies. Taste for seasoning and add more salt if necessary.
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Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package directions to al dente. Drain and add to the green chili cheese sauce. Pour all into a large casserole dish. Top with the remaining 2 cups shredded cheese.
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In a small bowl, stir together the panko bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, and olive oil. Sprinkle over top the casserole. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes until warmed, golden, and bubbly. Garnish with a little fresh chopped parsley.