cheesy chicken pasta Recipe
A creamy and flavorful cheesy chicken pasta recipe featuring perfectly cooked pasta tossed in a rich garlic, tomato, and cheese sauce. This comforting dish combines tender chicken, aromatic spices, and melted mozzarella for an irresistible meal that’s quick and easy to prepare.
- Author: Jeannette
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Boiling, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Halal
Pasta
- 250g pasta, uncooked (around 8oz)
- Salt (for pasta water, to taste)
- Oil (for pasta water, a little)
Chicken and Seasonings
- 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
Sauce
- 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 (1 cup) + extra to sprinkle on top
- 100–120ml pasta water (around 1/2 cup)
- Boil Pasta: Add uncooked pasta to a pot filled with cold water, some salt, and a little oil. Cook the pasta until al dente, meaning it should be slightly firm to the bite and not overcooked, so it maintains texture when added to the sauce.
- Cook Garlic: In a pan, warm 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently, until the garlic turns a light golden color and releases its aroma.
- Cook Chicken: Add the bite-sized pieces of chicken to the pan with the garlic. Cook over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently until the chicken pieces turn white and are mostly cooked through.
- Add Seasonings: Sprinkle in salt, black pepper, red chilli powder, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and oregano. Stir well to evenly coat the chicken with the spices and enhance the flavor.
- Add Tomato Paste and Chilli Sauce: Mix in the tomato paste and 1 teaspoon of chilli sauce or sriracha. Cook over medium-high heat for about 1 minute to deepen the sauce’s flavor.
- Make the Sauce: Slowly pour in the milk and double cream, stirring continuously. Cook over medium-high heat for about 1 minute until the mixture begins to bubble and thicken slightly.
- Add Cheese: Incorporate the mozzarella cheese into the sauce. Gently stir until the cheese has melted completely and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Add Pasta Water: Gradually add 100 to 120 ml of reserved pasta water into the sauce, stirring continuously. Bring the mixture to a boil and keep stirring for approximately 1.5 minutes to achieve a perfect sauce consistency.
- Add Pasta: Add the cooked pasta into the sauce, making sure each piece is fully coated. Sprinkle extra mozzarella cheese on top of the pasta, cover the pan with a lid, and let it cook over low heat until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Once the cheese has melted, remove from heat and serve immediately while hot. Enjoy your creamy cheesy chicken pasta!
Notes
- Use pasta water to adjust the thickness of the sauce for the perfect creamy consistency.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt and chilli levels, to suit your preference.
- For a healthier twist, substitute double cream with half-and-half or use low-fat milk.
- Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms to increase nutrition and flavor.
- Leftover pasta can be refrigerated for up to 2 days; reheat gently with a splash of milk or cream.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: cheesy chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, mozzarella pasta, easy chicken pasta recipe, quick dinner, comfort food