Description
Cheesy chicken pasta delivers a comforting Italian-inspired meal with creamy sauce and tender chicken. Rich parmesan and mozzarella blend perfectly with garlic and herbs, creating a satisfying dinner you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) chicken breast, diced
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne, rotini, or your favorite shape)
- 2 cups (480 ml) milk (or half-and-half for extra creaminess)
- 1 cup (120 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- ½ tsp Dijon mustard (optional, for flavor)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup (60 ml) reserved pasta water (optional)
- Chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Boil Preparation: Salt water in a large pot and bring to a vigorous boil.
- Pasta Cooking: Submerge pasta, stirring intermittently, and cook until al dente. Extract 1/4 cup starchy liquid before draining.
- Chicken Preparation: Dice chicken into uniform pieces, season thoroughly with herb blend. Sear in heated skillet with oil until golden and fully cooked.
- Sauce Foundation: In same skillet, sauté garlic and onions until translucent. Dust with flour, creating a light roux. Gradually whisk in cream and milk, creating a smooth base.
- Cheese Integration: Melt diverse cheese varieties into sauce, stirring until completely incorporated and silky.
- Final Assembly: Combine cooked chicken and pasta into cheese sauce, gently tossing to ensure complete coverage. Adjust sauce consistency with reserved pasta water if needed.
- Serving Finale: Garnish with fresh herbs and additional cheese, serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Manage Pasta Texture: Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness, ensuring a perfect bite that holds up in the creamy sauce.
- Control Cheese Melting: Use room temperature cheeses and add gradually, stirring constantly to prevent separation and achieve a smooth, velvety consistency.
- Prevent Dry Chicken: Avoid overcooking chicken by using a meat thermometer, aiming for 165°F internal temperature to keep it juicy and tender.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut milk for lighter versions, and use gluten-free pasta and flour for a celiac-friendly adaptation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 574
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg