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Cheesy Chicken Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 65 reviews

This cheesy chicken pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish combining perfectly cooked pasta with tender chicken pieces simmered in a rich, spiced cheese sauce. Infused with garlic, paprika, and a hint of chili, this meal is comfort food at its finest, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 250g pasta, uncooked (around 8oz)
  • Salt, to taste (for boiling pasta)
  • A little oil (for boiling pasta)

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 + 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 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 overly soft, to prevent it from becoming mushy when cooked further in the sauce.
  2. Cook Garlic: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until it becomes a light golden color and fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
  3. Cook Chicken: Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the pan with the garlic. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring continuously, for 3 to 4 minutes or until the chicken turns white and is nearly cooked through.
  4. Add Seasonings: Sprinkle salt, black pepper, red chilli powder, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and oregano over the chicken. Stir well to evenly coat the meat with the spices and enhance flavor.
  5. Add Tomato Paste and Chilli Sauce: Mix in the tomato paste and chilli sauce or sriracha. Cook this mixture over medium-high heat for about 1 minute to deepen the flavors and slightly caramelize the paste.
  6. Make the Sauce: Gradually pour in the milk and double cream while stirring continuously. Cook at medium-high heat for about 1 minute until the sauce starts bubbling and thickening slightly.
  7. Add Cheese: Stir in the mozzarella cheese gently until it melts completely and incorporates smoothly into the sauce, creating a rich, creamy texture.
  8. Add Pasta Water: Pour in the reserved pasta water gradually while stirring. Bring the mixture to a boil, which will take approximately 1.5 minutes, allowing the sauce to loosen up and become silky smooth.
  9. Add Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the creamy sauce and toss to coat fully. Sprinkle extra mozzarella cheese on top, cover the pan with a lid, and let it cook over low heat until the cheese on top melts thoroughly.
  10. Serve: Once melted and bubbly, serve the cheesy chicken pasta hot for a delightful and indulgent meal.

Notes

  • Use pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency; it helps bind the sauce and pasta together.
  • Cook pasta al dente to avoid mushy pasta after adding to the sauce.
  • Adjust chili sauce amount to suit your preferred spice level.
  • For a lighter version, substitute double cream with half-and-half or use low-fat milk.
  • Feel free to add veggies like spinach or mushrooms for extra nutrition and flavor.

Keywords: cheesy chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, easy chicken pasta recipe, quick pasta dinner, comfort food, mozzarella pasta, chicken dinner

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