Sheet-Pan Pasta Bake with Chicken and Kale

A comforting one-pan dinner combining tender pasta, rotisserie chicken, fresh kale, and cherry tomatoes, all topped with a crispy panko-parmesan crust and melted mozzarella. This easy weeknight meal features a creamy mustard sauce that brings all the ingredients together.

6 servings
28 min

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces short pasta, such as gemelli or penne
  • 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
  • 1 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • ¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 bunch curly kale
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 4 cups shredded cooked chicken
  • cups shredded mozzarella

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Arrange a rack in top of oven; preheat to 450°F. Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package directions.

    12 min

  2. 2.

    Meanwhile, mix panko, 1/4 cup Parmesan, 2 Tbsp. oil, 1/4 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper in a medium bowl.

    3 min

  3. 3.

    Toss kale and tomatoes with 1/2 tsp. salt and remaining 2 Tbsp. oil on a rimmed baking sheet.

    2 min

  4. 4.

    Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid. Return pasta to pot. Add sour cream, mustard, 1 tsp. salt, 1/4 cup pasta cooking liquid, and remaining 3/4 cup Parmesan and 1/2 tsp. pepper; stir until smooth. Stir in chicken and 1 cup mozzarella, adding more pasta cooking liquid if needed, until evenly coated. Transfer to sheet with kale and tomatoes and toss to combine. Top with panko mixture and remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella.

    5 min

  5. 5.

    Roast pasta mixture until cheese is melted and top is lightly browned, 5-7 minutes.

    6 min