Description
Savor creamy cheesy chicken pasta, a comforting Mediterranean-inspired dish blending tender chicken, rich cheese sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta. Delightful flavors and easy preparation make this meal a perfect weeknight dinner for hungry families seeking delicious home-cooked comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 lb (450 g) chicken breast, diced
Pasta and Cheese:
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne, rotini, or your favorite shape)
- 1 cup (120 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (480 ml) milk (or half-and-half for extra creaminess)
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional, for flavor)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) reserved pasta water (optional)
- Chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Initiate the culinary process by preparing a generously salted water bath in a capacious pot, bringing it to a rolling boil.
- Submerge pasta into the bubbling liquid, allowing it to dance and cook until achieving the perfect al dente texture according to package guidelines.
- Extract a modest portion of starchy liquid before thoroughly draining the pasta, setting it aside for potential sauce manipulation.
- Select a spacious skillet and warm olive oil over medium thermal intensity.
- Lavishly season diced chicken with an aromatic blend of garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Introduce seasoned chicken to the heated skillet, orchestrating a sizzling performance that transforms the meat to a golden-brown perfection and ensures complete internal cooking.
- Carefully transfer the succulent chicken from the skillet, momentarily setting it aside.
- Within the same skillet, melt butter and introduce flour, whisking with dedication to create a velvety roux that serves as the foundation for the decadent sauce.
- Gradually cascade milk into the roux, maintaining constant whisking to prevent any rebellious lumps from forming.
- Allow the mixture to simmer and thicken, developing a luxurious consistency that hints at the richness to come.
- Incorporate shredded cheddar, Parmesan, and a touch of Dijon mustard, stirring until a smooth, glossy cheese sauce emerges.
- Reunite the cooked pasta and chicken with the molten cheese sauce, gently tossing to ensure every morsel is generously coated.
- Should the sauce require adjustment, introduce reserved pasta water incrementally, creating the ideal creamy consistency.
- Plate the dish with a flourish, optionally garnishing with delicate chopped parsley to elevate the visual and flavor profile.
- Serve immediately, allowing the steam and aroma to entice eager diners.
Notes
- Boil pasta just until al dente to prevent overcooking and maintain a perfect texture that absorbs the creamy cheese sauce beautifully.
- Use high-quality shredded cheese for a smoother, more luxurious sauce that melts seamlessly and provides richer flavor.
- Season chicken generously and let it develop a golden-brown crust for maximum flavor depth and tender, juicy meat.
- Whisk roux continuously to prevent burning and ensure a silky-smooth cheese sauce without any lumpy patches.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 66 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg