This Cheesy Chicken Pasta is the ultimate comfort meal, combining juicy chunks of chicken and perfectly cooked pasta in a creamy tomato sauce. Topped with melty cheese, it’s perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or a satisfying lunch. The richness of the sauce, combined with a touch of spice, makes every bite irresistible. A quick and easy dish, it can easily be customized to suit your tastes or dietary preferences.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 250g uncooked pasta (around 8oz)

• 2 tbsp oil

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 275g chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces (around 9.6 oz)

• ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)

• ½ tsp black pepper

• ½ tsp red chili powder

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp paprika

• ½ tsp onion powder

• ¼ tsp oregano

• 2 tbsp tomato paste

• 1 tsp sriracha (optional)

• 130ml milk (½ cup + 1 tbsp)

• 110ml double cream (¼ cup + 3 tbsp)

• 100g mozzarella cheese + extra for topping (1 cup + extra)

• 100-120ml pasta water (around ½ cup)

Directions

1. Boil Pasta: Cook the pasta in a pot with cold water, salt, and a little oil. Boil until al dente, slightly firm, then drain, saving some pasta water for later.

2. Cook Garlic: Heat oil in a pan, add minced garlic, and cook until golden (about 1 minute).

3. Cook Chicken: Add the chicken pieces and cook for 3-4 minutes until browned.

4. Seasoning: Add salt, black pepper, red chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, oregano, and mix. Add tomato paste and sriracha, and cook for another minute.

5. Make Sauce: Add milk and cream, stir and cook until the mixture starts bubbling.

6. Add Cheese: Stir in mozzarella cheese and cook until melted and fully incorporated.

7. Pasta Water: Gradually add pasta water to the sauce to achieve your desired consistency. Bring it to a boil.

8. Combine Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, mixing well. Top with extra cheese and cover with a lid, cooking over low heat until the cheese melts.

9. Serve: Once the cheese is melted and bubbly, serve immediately.

Nutrients

• Calories: Approx. 500-600 per serving (depending on serving size and ingredients)

• Fat: 25g

• Carbohydrates: 50g

• Protein: 30g

Why This Dish is Perfect for Any Meal

Cheesy Chicken Pasta stands out because it’s incredibly versatile. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or feeding a family, this dish can easily be scaled to meet your needs. It’s an ideal choice for weeknight dinners, where you want something comforting but not too time-consuming. The recipe is designed to be quick and easy, allowing you to spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your meal.

Another key reason for its popularity is the flexibility of the ingredients. The base of the dish—chicken, pasta, and cheese—is a combination that most people enjoy, but the added seasonings, such as garlic powder, paprika, and red chili powder, can be adjusted according to personal preference. If you prefer a spicier version, you can increase the amount of chili powder or add sriracha for an extra kick. If you like it milder, simply reduce the heat and focus on the creamy richness of the sauce.

The Secret to Perfectly Cooked Chicken

In a dish like Cheesy Chicken Pasta, the quality of the chicken is essential. To achieve tender, juicy pieces of chicken, it’s important to cut the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces to ensure they cook quickly and evenly. By seasoning the chicken with a blend of paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper, the chicken absorbs all the flavors, enhancing the overall dish.

One of the tricks to keeping the chicken moist is to avoid overcooking it. When the chicken is cooked through but still juicy, it contributes to the overall richness of the sauce. The chicken should be slightly browned on the outside for added flavor but remain tender and juicy on the inside. This is achieved by cooking the chicken pieces in oil over medium heat, ensuring they develop a golden-brown exterior while staying succulent on the inside.

Creating the Creamy Tomato Sauce

The creamy tomato sauce that envelops the chicken and pasta is what makes this dish so indulgent. The foundation of the sauce is made with a combination of milk, double cream, and a small amount of tomato paste. This mixture creates a rich, velvety base that coats both the pasta and chicken, bringing the dish together.

The tomato paste adds a depth of flavor, giving the sauce a slight tang and sweetness that balances the creaminess. The addition of sriracha (optional) introduces a subtle heat, enhancing the overall richness of the sauce without overpowering it. If you prefer a spicier dish, the sriracha can be adjusted to your liking, or you can omit it altogether for a milder flavor.

The Magic of Melty Mozzarella

What truly elevates Cheesy Chicken Pasta is the gooey, melty cheese that gets stirred into the sauce. Mozzarella is the cheese of choice here, as it melts beautifully, creating that perfect cheesy texture. As the mozzarella blends into the creamy sauce, it creates a rich, smooth coating that clings to both the pasta and chicken. This layer of cheese not only adds flavor but also creates a satisfying texture that’s both creamy and indulgent.

For the ultimate cheesy experience, don’t forget to add extra mozzarella on top of the pasta before covering it with a lid and letting it melt. This ensures that every bite is bursting with cheese, making it an irresistible dish for cheese lovers.

The Perfect Pasta to Hold the Sauce

No cheesy pasta dish would be complete without the right type of pasta to carry the sauce. While this recipe uses a standard uncooked pasta, the type of pasta you choose can really influence the dish. You want a pasta that will hold the creamy tomato sauce well, and something like penne, rotini, or farfalle works perfectly. These shapes have grooves or ridges that help trap the sauce, ensuring that each bite is as flavorful as the last.

The key to achieving the perfect pasta texture is to cook it to al dente—tender but firm to the bite. This ensures that the pasta doesn’t become mushy when combined with the sauce. Once the pasta is cooked, you’ll want to reserve some of the pasta water. This starchy water helps to adjust the consistency of the sauce, making it cling better to the pasta and creating a velvety texture.

Customizing Your Dish

One of the best things about Cheesy Chicken Pasta is how easily it can be tailored to your preferences. While the recipe includes specific seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, and red chili powder, you can always adjust the flavors. For example, if you prefer a more herbal flavor, you can add dried oregano or basil to the sauce. You could also experiment with different types of cheese, such as cheddar or parmesan, to give the dish a different flavor profile.

The spice level can also be customized based on personal preference. The recipe calls for red chili powder and optional sriracha, but you can make it as mild or spicy as you want by adjusting the quantities. Alternatively, you can skip the spicy elements entirely for a more neutral flavor that focuses on the creamy, cheesy goodness.

If you’re looking to make the dish even heartier, you can add vegetables such as spinach, mushrooms, or tomatoes to the mix. These vegetables add texture and nutrients while enhancing the overall flavor of the dish. For a more indulgent version, crispy bacon or sausage can be added for an extra layer of richness.

Perfect for Meal Prep

Another great thing about this Cheesy Chicken Pasta is that it’s perfect for meal prepping. The recipe can easily be doubled to make enough for several meals, and it stores well in the refrigerator for a few days. The flavors tend to meld even more as it sits, making it just as delicious when reheated. Whether you’re preparing meals for the week or making a dish to feed a crowd, this pasta recipe is a great choice for meal prep.

Conclusion: A Comforting Dish for Any Occasion

In conclusion, Cheesy Chicken Pasta is the epitome of comfort food. It’s a dish that combines tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a rich, creamy sauce to create a meal that’s both indulgent and satisfying. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner, a filling lunch, or a comforting meal to share with friends and family, this dish is sure to please.

The beauty of Cheesy Chicken Pasta lies in its versatility. You can customize the flavors and ingredients to suit your tastes, making it a dish that’s as unique as you are. From the creamy sauce to the melty cheese, every bite is a comforting indulgence that’s bound to leave you craving more. It’s a dish that delivers the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and satisfaction, making it a must-try for any home cook.