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Cheesy Chicken Pasta Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 51 reviews
  • Author: Hugo
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

This cheesy chicken pasta recipe combines tender chicken pieces with a creamy, flavorful cheese sauce made with mozzarella, cream, and milk, tossed with perfectly cooked al dente pasta. Infused with aromatic spices and a hint of heat from chili sauce, this hearty and comforting dish is perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 250g pasta, uncooked (around 8oz)
  • Salt, for boiling pasta
  • A little 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 some cold water, salt, and a little bit of oil. Cook pasta until al dente – it should be slightly firm and not overly cooked so that it doesn’t become too soft once cooked in the sauce.
  2. Cook Garlic: In a pan, warm up the oil, then add fresh, minced garlic. Cook this over medium heat for around 1 minute or until the garlic becomes a light golden colour.
  3. Cook Chicken: Add the bite-sized pieces of chicken to the pan. Cook these over medium-high heat, stirring as you cook, for around 3-4 minutes or until the chicken turns a white colour.
  4. Seasonings: Add salt, black pepper, red chilli powder, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and oregano, mixing it thoroughly into the chicken.
  5. Add Tomato Paste and Chili Sauce: Add a little bit of sriracha and the tomato paste, then cook this mixture over medium-high heat for about 1 minute to enhance the flavors.
  6. Make the Sauce: Gradually add milk and cream while stirring continuously. Cook at medium-high heat for about 1 minute or until the mixture starts bubbling and is well combined.
  7. Add Cheese: Add mozzarella cheese and gently mix it in until the cheese has melted and is fully incorporated into the sauce.
  8. Add Pasta Water: Gradually add leftover pasta water and mix it into the sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly to combine well. This takes about 1.5 minutes.
  9. Add Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and coat it fully. Sprinkle extra cheese on top, then cover with a lid and let the pasta cook over low heat until the cheese melts completely.
  10. Serve: Once the cheese has melted and the pasta is well-coated in the creamy sauce, serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

  • Adjust salt and chili sauce to taste to control the spice level.
  • Using pasta water helps to loosen the sauce and bind it to the pasta for an even creamier texture.
  • For best results, cook pasta just until al dente to avoid mushiness when it simmers in the sauce.
  • Feel free to swap mozzarella cheese with other melting cheeses like cheddar or a blend for varied flavor.
  • Leftover pasta works well for reheating but may need extra liquid to loosen the sauce.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: cheesy chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, easy chicken pasta recipe, mozzarella pasta, stovetop pasta dish, weeknight dinner

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