Description
Indulge in this comforting Cheesy Chicken Pasta recipe that combines tender chicken bites with a creamy cheddar and Parmesan cheese sauce. This easy stovetop dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner and is sure to be a hit with the whole family.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or your choice)
Chicken:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Cheese Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and season with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté. Stir in flour to form a roux. Slowly whisk in milk and chicken broth, stirring constantly until smooth. Simmer until thickened.
- Add Cheese: Stir in cheddar and Parmesan cheeses until melted and creamy. Add cooked pasta and chicken to the sauce, stirring to coat evenly. Heat through.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- Add steamed broccoli or spinach for extra veggies.
- For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños.
- This recipe also works well with rotisserie chicken for quicker prep.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1¼ cups
- Calories: 530
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
