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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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://dinewithlily.com/cheesy-chicken-pasta-recipe/