Description
Creamy “cheesy chicken pasta” brings comfort directly from Italian kitchens with rich, melted cheese embracing tender chicken. Hearty ingredients combine seamlessly, promising a delightful meal that satisfies your deepest cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb (450 g) chicken breast, diced
Pasta and Base:
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne, rotini, or your favorite shape)
- 2 cups (480 ml) milk (or half-and-half for extra creaminess)
Seasonings and Cheese:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (120 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional, for flavor)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) reserved pasta water (optional)
- Chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Fill a generously sized pot with water, season with salt, and bring to a rolling boil.
- Add pasta to the bubbling water, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, and cook until tender with a slight bite.
- Carefully extract 1/4 cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining the pasta in a colander.
- Transfer the cooked pasta to a waiting bowl, ensuring it remains warm and ready for the next preparation steps.
- While the pasta cooks, dice the chicken into uniform bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Season the chicken pieces with a blend of herbs and spices, ensuring each morsel is well-coated.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high temperature and add a touch of oil to prevent sticking.
- Sauté the seasoned chicken until golden brown and completely cooked through, with no pink remaining.
- In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic and onions until fragrant and translucent.
- Sprinkle flour over the aromatics, stirring to create a light roux that will help thicken the sauce.
- Gradually pour in cream and milk, whisking continuously to prevent lumps and create a smooth base.
- Incorporate a variety of cheeses, stirring until they melt completely and blend into a luxurious sauce.
- Fold the cooked chicken into the creamy cheese sauce, ensuring even distribution.
- Add the reserved pasta to the skillet, gently tossing to coat every strand with the rich sauce.
- If the sauce seems too thick, introduce small amounts of reserved pasta water to achieve desired consistency.
- Garnish with fresh herbs and an additional sprinkle of cheese before serving hot.
Notes
- Opt for whole wheat or gluten-free pasta to cater to dietary restrictions without compromising the dish’s creamy texture.
- Save the starchy pasta water as a secret weapon to help create a silky, smooth sauce that perfectly coats every noodle.
- Consider using rotisserie chicken for a quick time-saving hack that adds extra flavor and reduces overall cooking time.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like sharp cheddar and mozzarella to customize the richness and depth of the cheesy sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg