Description
This cheesy chicken pasta is the ultimate comfort meal, featuring tender chicken, a creamy tomato-based sauce, and plenty of melted cheese. It’s a beginner-friendly dish that comes together in just 35 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy lunches.
Ingredients
Scale
- 250g (8 oz) pasta (shells, penne, or rotini)
- 2 tbsp olive oil or neutral oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 275g (9.6 oz) boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp red chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp oregano
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp sriracha or chili sauce (optional)
- 130ml (½ cup + 1 tbsp) milk
- 110ml (¼ cup + 3 tbsp) heavy cream
- 100g (1 cup) shredded mozzarella cheese + extra for topping
- 100–120ml (½ cup) reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the pasta and cook until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Sauté the Garlic: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add the minced garlic. Stir for about 1 minute until fragrant and lightly golden.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the skillet, stirring occasionally until they turn white and are mostly cooked through, about 4–5 minutes.
- Season the Chicken: Sprinkle in the salt, black pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and oregano. Stir well to coat the chicken evenly with the spices.
- Add Tomato Paste and Sriracha: Stir in the tomato paste and sriracha (if using), cooking for 1–2 minutes to deepen the flavors and enhance the sauce’s richness.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Pour in the milk and heavy cream, stirring constantly over medium-high heat until the mixture begins to bubble and thicken slightly.
- Melt the Cheese: Add the shredded mozzarella cheese, stirring gently until fully melted into the sauce, creating a velvety consistency.
- Adjust the Sauce: Gradually pour in reserved pasta water, stirring continuously to reach the desired sauce thickness. Let it simmer for 1–2 minutes until smooth.
- Combine Pasta & Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the pan, tossing well so each piece is coated in the creamy sauce. Sprinkle extra cheese on top, cover with a lid, and let it cook on low heat until the cheese melts.
- Serve & Enjoy: Remove from heat and serve immediately. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- For a lighter version, swap heavy cream with whole milk or a dairy-free alternative.
- If the sauce thickens too much, add an extra splash of pasta water or milk to loosen it.
- To make it vegetarian, substitute the chicken with mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini.
- Leftovers stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Comfort Food
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 110mg