Description
Cheesy Chicken Pasta: Creamy, cozy, and irresistible weeknight comfort dish with tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a velvety cheese sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or shells)
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chicken, salt, pepper, and paprika; cook until browned and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, add onion and cook until softened. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth, milk, and heavy cream. Add pasta and Italian seasoning. Stir well.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat. Cover and cook 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and sauce thickens.
- Stir in cheddar and Parmesan until melted and silky.
- Add the cooked chicken back into the pot and mix to coat evenly in the creamy cheese sauce. Serve with parsley.
Notes
- To lighten the dish, substitute half the heavy cream with extra milk or half-and-half.
- Use whole-wheat pasta for more fiber.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a splash more broth or milk until desired consistency is reached.
- Garnish with additional parsley or chopped chives for a fresh finish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
Keywords: Cheesy Chicken Pasta, Creamy Pasta, Chicken Pasta Dinner, Weeknight Dinner, Comfort Food