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30-Minute Super Creamy Cheesy Chicken Pasta

Close-up of penne pasta mixed with chunks of seasoned chicken in a rich, orange cheesy sauce, ready to serve in a skillet.
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This recipe delivers a comforting, family-favorite cheesy chicken pasta that is ready in 30 minutes. You get tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta coated in a rich, creamy cheese sauce for an easy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound dry pasta (like rotini or penne)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. Set the drained pasta aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to create a roux.
  5. Slowly whisk in the milk and chicken broth until smooth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring often until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3 to 5 minutes.
  6. Reduce the heat to low. Add the cubed cream cheese and stir until it melts completely into the sauce.
  7. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Add the paprika. Taste and add more salt or pepper if needed.
  8. Return the cooked chicken to the cheese sauce. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are fully coated in the sauce.
  9. If the sauce seems too thick, add the reserved pasta water, one splash at a time, until you reach your desired creamy consistency.
  10. Serve this ultimate creamy cheesy pasta immediately.

Notes

  • For a baked version, transfer the mixture to a baking dish, top with extra cheese, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15 minutes until bubbly.
  • You can substitute the chicken with 12 ounces of cooked rotisserie chicken to save even more time on a busy weeknight.
  • Use white cheddar cheese instead of cheddar for a slightly different flavor profile in your creamy chicken dinner.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://devourdish.com/cheesy-chicken-pasta/