Print

cheesy chicken pasta Recipe

cheesy chicken pasta Recipe
Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 15 reviews

This cheesy chicken pasta recipe features tender bite-sized chicken pieces simmered in a creamy, flavorful sauce made with garlic, tomato paste, and a blend of spices. Cooked al dente pasta is tossed in the rich cheese-infused sauce, topped with melted mozzarella for a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 250g pasta, uncooked (around 8oz)
  • Salt (for pasta water, to taste)
  • Oil (for pasta water, a splash)

Chicken and Seasonings

  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 275g chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces (around 9.6 oz)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon oregano

Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon chilli sauce or sriracha
  • 130ml milk (1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon)
  • 110ml double cream (1/4 cup + 3 tablespoons)
  • 100g mozzarella cheese + extra for topping (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 splash of oil. Cook until al dente, meaning the pasta is slightly firm to the bite and not overly soft. Drain and set aside, reserving some pasta water.
  2. Cook Garlic: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until it turns a light golden color and releases its fragrance.
  3. Cook Chicken: Add bite-sized chicken pieces to the pan and cook over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently until the chicken turns white and is nearly cooked through.
  4. Season Chicken: Add salt, black pepper, red chilli powder, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and oregano to the chicken. Stir well to coat the chicken with the spices evenly.
  5. Add Tomato Paste and Chilli Sauce: Mix in the tomato paste and chilli sauce or sriracha. Cook for about 1 minute on medium-high heat to deepen the flavors.
  6. Make the Sauce: Gradually pour in the milk and double cream while stirring continuously. Cook over medium-high heat for about 1 minute until the mixture starts to bubble and thicken.
  7. Add Cheese: Stir in the mozzarella cheese gently until it melts completely and integrates smoothly into the sauce.
  8. Add Pasta Water: Slowly add reserved pasta water to the sauce, stirring continuously. Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, which should take about 1.5 minutes, helping to adjust the sauce consistency.
  9. Add Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing thoroughly to coat every piece. Sprinkle extra mozzarella cheese on top, cover with a lid, and let it cook on low heat until the cheese melts and the pasta is well combined with the sauce.
  10. Serve and Enjoy: Remove from heat and serve immediately while hot. Enjoy your creamy, cheesy chicken pasta!

Notes

  • Use pasta types like penne, fusilli, or rigatoni for best sauce adherence.
  • Adjust the spice levels by adding more or less chilli powder and sriracha to suit your taste.
  • Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency without thinning the flavor.
  • For a richer sauce, substitute double cream with heavy cream.
  • Leftover pasta can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheated gently with a splash of milk or water.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheesy chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, easy chicken pasta recipe, quick pasta dinner, mozzarella pasta, spicy chicken pasta sauce

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