Creamy Dreamy Chicken Cheese Pasta

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Ever get that craving for something seriously comforting? This Creamy cheesy chicken pasta is the answer. It's ridiculously tasty and ready in no time.

Honestly, who doesn't love cheesy chicken pasta bake ?

Brief Overview

This isn't some fancy dish that takes all day. It's a simple weeknight meal, kind of like your nonna might have made.

.. if she were into fast food. It serves 4 hungry people and takes about 30 minutes from start to finish.

You can find similar version for rotini chicken pasta .

Main Benefits

One of the best things about this is that it's pure comfort food pasta recipes . It's packed with protein and will absolutely satisfy your carb cravings.

What makes it special? It's so easy and customizable. You can add almost any vegetable to make a creamy chicken pasta with vegetables .

You can find it under the creamy chicken pasta recipe or garlic chicken pasta recipe .

Ready to get started?

Creamy Dreamy Chicken Cheese Pasta Recipe Card

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Preparation time:10 Mins

Cooking time:20 Mins

Servings:4 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 cups (170g) uncooked pasta (penne, fusilli, rotini, or your choice)
• Water
• Salt, for pasta water
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
• 2 medium (approx. 350g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (approximately 1 tablespoon)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped (approximately ½ cup)
• 1 ½ cups (355 ml) heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter option)
• 1 cup (113g) shredded cheddar cheese (or a mix of cheddar and mozzarella)
• ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or a mix of dried basil, oregano, thyme)
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
• Fresh parsley or basil, chopped

Instructions:

• Boil pasta according to package directions in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
• Heat olive oil in skillet. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Cook until browned and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C). Remove from skillet and set aside.
• In the same skillet, sauté onion until translucent. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
• Pour in cream. Simmer gently. Add cheddar and Parmesan cheeses, stirring until melted and smooth.
• Stir in Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes (if using). Add cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat.
• Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with parsley or basil. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:550-650

Fat:35-45g

Fiber:0g

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course

Cuisine:Italian

What You'll Need for This Epic Pasta

Alright, let's gather the troops. You'll need pasta (I like penne, but anything works), chicken breasts, and some basic veggies.

And, of course, cheese! The more, the merrier, is what I say. easy chicken pasta dinner ? That's this recipe! The chicken pasta with cheddar cheese makes this recipe so delicious.

Here's the shopping list for Creamy Dreamy Chicken & Cheese Pasta

Let's Cook Our Comfort in a Pot

Okay, let's get down to business. First, boil your pasta in salted water until it's al dente . You know, with a little bite.

Meanwhile, chop up your chicken and sauté it with some garlic and onions. The garlic smell is divine, isn't it? Add chicken to the skillet.

Cook until browned and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165° F/ 74° C). Remove from skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, sauté onion until translucent.

Add garlic and cook until fragrant.

Next, make your cheese sauce. This is the best part. The aroma that the cheese sauce gives off will make your stomach rumble! Simply melt cheddar and parmesan cheeses in heavy cream with Italian seasoning.

And if you like a little kick, add some red pepper flakes. I will sometimes make the one pot creamy chicken pasta which is a variation of this recipe.

Putting It All Together

Now, the magic happens! Toss the cooked chicken and pasta into the cheese sauce. Make sure everything is nicely coated.

Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil. Serve immediately and enjoy! You deserve it.

You can adjust it using creamy parmesan chicken pasta .

Honestly, this Creamy cheesy chicken pasta is a lifesaver on busy weeknights. I hope you love it as much as I do!

Alright, let's dive into what you'll need for this creamy cheesy chicken pasta . It’s simpler than you think, I promise! This easy chicken pasta dinner is about to become your new go-to.

Ingredients & Equipment

Honestly, this creamy chicken pasta recipe doesn't require a culinary degree. I made it last week, even after a particularly long day. It tasted like a million dollars but was seriously easy!

Main Ingredients

Here's the lowdown on what you’ll need, quantities for my USA mates and you folk across the pond with metric.

We're making sure everyone can get in on this chicken pasta with cheddar cheese goodness.

• Pasta: 2 cups (170g) uncooked pasta (penne, fusilli, rotini , or whatever you fancy). Quality pasta makes a difference but don't stress too much.
• Chicken: 2 medium (approx. 350g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces. Fresh chicken should be pink and firm – avoid anything slimy or smelly!
• Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons (30 ml)
• Heavy Cream: 1 ½ cups (355 ml) (or half-and-half for a lighter creamy chicken pasta with vegetables )
• Cheddar Cheese: 1 cup (113g) shredded cheddar cheese (or a mix of cheddar and mozzarella). Seriously consider grating it yourself!
• Parmesan Cheese: ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese. Proper Parmesan, trust me, makes it. Creamy parmesan chicken pasta ? Yes please.
• Garlic: 3 cloves , minced (approximately 1 tablespoon)
• Onion: 1 small , finely chopped (approximately ½ cup)

Seasoning Notes

Seasoning is where the magic happens. Garlic chicken pasta recipe , yum!

• Essential Spice Combinations: Salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning are your base. Use about 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning (or a mix of dried basil, oregano, thyme).
• Flavor Enhancers and Aromatics: Don't skip the garlic and onion! They build the flavor foundation. Red pepper flakes ( ½ teaspoon , optional) add a lovely kick.
• Quick Substitution Options: Out of Italian seasoning? No worries, basil, oregano, and thyme will do.

Equipment Needed

Keep it simple. No need for fancy gadgets for this cheesy chicken pasta bake .

• Large pot
• Large skillet or frying pan
• Colander
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Cutting board
• Knife

You probably have most of this already. A decent frying pan is essential.

Now you're all set! Let's make some comfort food pasta recipes !

Alright, let's get this show on the road, yeah? Fancy making some proper comfort food pasta recipes ? Well, buckle up buttercup, 'cause we are about to dive headfirst into this absolutely banging Creamy cheesy chicken pasta recipe.

Trust me; this dish is so easy even I can't mess it up.

Creamy Dreamy Chicken & Cheese Pasta: Get Ready to Roll!

Honestly, this creamy chicken pasta recipe is a winner. It's the kind of food that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

It is a quick, delicious dinner option for when you fancy something naughty but satisfying. We're talking tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a sauce that's so cheesy it'll make you weak at the knees.

Ready to ditch the takeaway and embrace this bowl of happiness?

Prep Steps: Mise en Place & More

First things first, get your mise en place sorted. Basically, that means getting all your ingredients prepped and ready to go.

Chop your 2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Dice 1 small onion, mince 3 cloves of garlic, and measure out your cheeses.

Got it? Good. Now, this easy chicken pasta dinner is about to become even easier.

Step-by-Step: From Hob to Heaven

Right then, here's the lowdown:

1. Cook Pasta: Boil 2 cups of pasta in salted water until al dente . (Approx. 8- 10 minutes) .
2. Cook Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet. Add chicken, season, and cook until it reaches 165° F/ 74° C .
3. Sauté Aromatics: Sauté onion until translucent. Add garlic; cook until fragrant.
4. Make Cheese Sauce: Pour in 1 ½ cups of heavy cream, simmer. Add 1 cup cheddar and ½ cup Parmesan. Stir until smooth.
5. Combine: Add chicken, pasta, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning and ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) to the skillet.
6. Season: Adjust with salt and pepper. Garnish and serve.

Pro Tips: Nailing This Recipe

Want to take your cheesy chicken pasta bake to the next level? Firstly, don't overcook the pasta. Al dente is the word!

Also, grate your own cheese. Pre-shredded stuff doesn't melt as well. And lastly, go easy on the heat when melting the cheese.

Low and slow prevents a grainy sauce. If you prefer, you can always change things up a bit by turning this recipe into a chicken pasta with cheddar cheese , or if you prefer something for the days that needs washing less often you may try the one pot creamy chicken pasta recipe type.

If you want to be extra naughty add some garlic chicken pasta recipe ! Honestly? I've made this rotini chicken pasta so many times, I could do it in my sleep! Hope it works for you too!

Recipe Notes: Your Creamy Cheesy Chicken Pasta Questions Answered

Okay, so you're ready to dive into this creamy cheesy chicken pasta ? Ace. But before you do, let's cover a few things to make sure your easy chicken pasta dinner is a total success.

Honestly, sometimes the little details are what make or break a dish, you know?

Serving Suggestions: Making it Look Gorgeous

Presentation matters, right? For this chicken pasta with cheddar cheese , I like to plate it up in a nice bowl and then sprinkle some fresh parsley on top.

Makes it look all fancy, even though it was super simple to make. A side of garlic bread? Oh my gosh, yes! And for a drink? A crisp, cold glass of Pinot Grigio really cuts through the richness of the cheese.

It balances everything out nicely.

Storage Tips: Saving Some for Later (If There's Any Left!)

Got leftovers? Lucky you! This one pot creamy chicken pasta keeps pretty well. Pop it in the fridge in an airtight container.

It'll be good for about 3-4 days. To reheat, just microwave it or warm it up in a pan on the stove with a splash of milk or cream to loosen up the sauce.

Freezing is an option, but the sauce might separate a bit when you thaw it. Still tastes amazing, though!

Variations: Switching It Up

Want to tweak things? Easy peasy. For a lighter version, swap the heavy cream for half-and-half. Still creamy, but not quite as indulgent.

If you're after a creamy chicken pasta with vegetables , toss in some broccoli florets or sliced bell peppers. They add a lovely bit of color and crunch.

You could even use crème fraîche instead of heavy cream for a slightly tangier flavour.

Nutrition Basics: Goodness in Every Bite

Let's talk nutrition, quick and dirty. This creamy cheesy chicken pasta recipe has got protein from the chicken, carbs from the pasta (I prefer rotini chicken pasta ), and calcium from the cheese.

Roughly, you're looking at around 550-650 calories per serving. Remember, this is an estimate! If you want a more accurate breakdown, plug the ingredients into a nutrition calculator, alright?

There you have it. A garlic chicken pasta recipe that's perfect for a weeknight meal or any time you're craving some serious comfort food pasta recipes .

Now go get your apron on and make some magic! You got this!