Cheesy Chicken Pasta Recipe

Introduction

This cheesy chicken pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner. Tender chicken pieces are cooked in a rich cheese sauce and tossed with pasta for a satisfying meal the whole family will enjoy.

Ingredients

• 250g pasta, uncooked (around 8oz)
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 275g chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces (around 9.6 oz)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to your taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon oregano
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon chilli sauce or sriracha
• 130ml milk (1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon)
• 110ml double cream (1/4 cup + 3 tablespoons)
• 100g mozzarella cheese + extra to sprinkle on top (1 cup + extra)
• 100-120ml pasta water (around 1/2 cup)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Boil the pasta by adding it to a pot of cold water with some salt and a little oil. Cook until al dente, meaning it should be slightly firm to the bite and not too soft. Drain and set aside, reserving some pasta water.
2. Step 2: Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until it turns light golden.
3. Step 3: Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the pan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes until the chicken turns white and is cooked through.
4. Step 4: Season the chicken with salt, black pepper, red chilli powder, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and oregano. Stir to combine well.
5. Step 5: Add the tomato paste and chilli sauce (sriracha) to the pan. Cook over medium-high heat for about 1 minute, stirring to blend the flavors.
6. Step 6: Gradually stir in the milk and double cream. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring continuously for about 1 minute until the mixture begins to bubble.
7. Step 7: Add the mozzarella cheese and gently stir until it melts and fully incorporates into the sauce.
8. Step 8: Slowly add the reserved pasta water, stirring as you bring the sauce to a boil. Continue stirring for about 1.5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
9. Step 9: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat evenly. Sprinkle extra cheese on top, cover with a lid, and cook over low heat until the cheese melts.
10. Step 10: Serve immediately and enjoy your cheesy chicken pasta!

Tips & Variations

• Use any type of pasta you like; penne or fusilli works well for this dish.
• For a milder version, reduce or omit the chilli powder and chilli sauce.
• Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for added nutrition and flavor.
• Substitute mozzarella with cheddar or a blend of cheeses for a different cheesy twist.

Storage

Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk to loosen the sauce if it thickens too much.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

Yes, just make sure the chicken is fully thawed before cooking to ensure even cooking and the best texture.

What can I use instead of double cream?

You can substitute double cream with heavy cream or a combination of milk and cream cheese for a slightly different texture and richness.

Cheesy Chicken Pasta Recipe

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4.5 from 112 reviews

A creamy and flavorful cheesy chicken pasta dish that combines tender bite-sized chicken pieces with a rich, cheesy tomato cream sauce, perfectly coated over al dente pasta. This comforting meal is enhanced with a blend of spices and finished with melted mozzarella cheese, ideal for a satisfying dinner.

• Author: Lily
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian-inspired

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta

• 250g pasta, uncooked (around 8oz)
• Salt, for boiling pasta
• Little bit of oil, for boiling pasta

Chicken and Sauce

• 2 tbsps oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 275g chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces (around 9.6 oz)
• 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to your taste)
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp oregano
• 2 tbsps tomato paste
• 1 tsp chilli sauce/sriracha
• 130ml milk (1/2 cup + 1 tbsp)
• 110ml double cream (1/4 cup + 3 tbsps)
• 100g mozzarella cheese + extra to sprinkle on top (1 cup + extra)
• 100–120ml pasta water (around 1/2 cup)

Instructions

1. Boil Pasta: Add pasta to a pot with cold water, salt, and a little oil. Cook the pasta until al dente, which means it should be slightly firm to the bite, ensuring it doesn’t become overly soft when cooked further in the sauce.
2. Cook Garlic: In a pan, warm up the oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute or until the garlic becomes a light golden color, releasing its aroma.
3. Cook Chicken: Add the bite-sized chicken pieces into the pan. Cook them over medium-high heat, stirring as you go, for about 3-4 minutes until the chicken turns white and is cooked through.
4. Add Seasonings: Sprinkle the salt, black pepper, red chilli powder, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and oregano over the chicken. Stir well to evenly coat the chicken with the spices.
5. Add Tomato Paste and Chilli Sauce: Mix in the tomato paste and chili sauce (or sriracha). Cook this mixture over medium-high heat for about 1 minute to enhance the flavors.
6. Make the Sauce: Gradually pour in the milk and double cream while stirring continuously. Continue cooking at medium-high heat for about 1 minute until the mixture starts bubbling and thickening slightly.
7. Add Cheese: Add the mozzarella cheese and gently mix it in until it melts completely and blends seamlessly into the creamy sauce.
8. Add Pasta Water: Slowly add the reserved pasta water to the sauce, stirring continuously. Bring the mixture to a boil and keep stirring for about 1.5 minutes to achieve a smooth, sauce-like consistency.
9. Add Pasta: Add the cooked pasta into the sauce, tossing well to coat all the pasta evenly with the thick, creamy sauce. Sprinkle extra mozzarella cheese on top, cover with a lid, and let it cook over low heat until the cheese melts.
10. Serve: Once the cheese has melted and the pasta is nicely coated and heated through, serve immediately and enjoy your cheesy chicken pasta!

Notes

• Adjust the salt and chili powder to your preferred taste to control the spice level.
• Use pasta water to help the sauce bind perfectly to the pasta, adding creaminess and flavor.
• You can substitute mozzarella with other melting cheeses such as cheddar or a blend for variation.
• For a lighter version, use low-fat cream and milk or substitute cream with half-and-half.
• Make sure not to overcook the pasta in boiling water as it will continue cooking in the sauce.

Keywords: cheesy chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, easy chicken pasta, mozzarella pasta, quick dinner, pasta recipe, one pan pasta