Description
This Cheesy Chicken Pasta is the ultimate comfort food—tender chicken, pasta shells, and a creamy tomato-based sauce all blended with loads of melty mozzarella. It’s quick, rich, and flexible enough to suit weeknights, gatherings, or meal prep.
Ingredients
- Pasta shells (or any pasta shape)
- Neutral oil or olive oil
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and black pepper
- Red chilli powder
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Onion powder
- Dried oregano
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- Sriracha or chilli sauce (optional)
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup double cream or heavy cream
- 1½ cups mozzarella cheese (plus extra for topping)
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted water with a splash of oil until al dente. Drain and reserve ½ cup pasta water.
- In a skillet, heat oil and sauté garlic until lightly golden.
- Add chicken pieces and cook until opaque, about 3–4 minutes.
- Season with salt, pepper, chilli powder, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and oregano. Stir in tomato paste and optional sriracha.
- Pour in milk and cream, letting it bubble gently while stirring.
- Add mozzarella cheese, stirring until melted into a creamy sauce.
- Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water until smooth and silky.
- Toss in cooked pasta, coating evenly. Sprinkle extra cheese on top, cover, and let it melt.
- Serve hot, garnished with parsley if desired.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, swap chicken with mushrooms, spinach, or bell peppers.
- Add cream cheese or mascarpone for extra creaminess.
- Use a mix of cheeses like cheddar or gouda for variety.
- Shredded rotisserie chicken is a quick substitute for fresh chicken.
- This dish scales up easily for feeding a crowd—just use a larger pot.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Comfort Food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (of 2)
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 41g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
