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Cheesy Chicken Pasta

Creamy, comforting chicken pasta loaded with melted cheese and tender seasoned chicken.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American, Italian-American
Calories: 620

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or fettuccine)
Chicken
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts large
  • 1 tsp salt divided
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
Cheese Sauce
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 cups whole milk warm
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 0.5 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 0.5 tsp paprika optional
  • 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes optional
Garnish
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet
  • Whisk
  • Knife and cutting board

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Pat chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken for 5–7 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove and let rest 5 minutes, then slice into bite-sized pieces.
  4. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute to create a light roux.
  6. Slowly pour in warm milk while whisking constantly. Add heavy cream and cook until sauce thickens, about 3–5 minutes.
  7. Reduce heat to low and stir in cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan until fully melted and smooth.
  8. Season sauce with paprika and red pepper flakes if using. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  9. Add cooked pasta and sliced chicken into the sauce. Toss until evenly coated.
  10. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.

Notes

For extra creaminess, add a splash of milk when reheating leftovers. Freshly shredded cheese melts best and prevents grainy texture.