Description
White cheddar chicken pasta blends tender chicken with a creamy, rich sauce that clings to every bite. Comforting and filling, it’s a reliable dinner choice.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 300 grams (10.5 ounces) pasta (penne, rigatoni, or your choice)
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cups grated white cheddar cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
Seasonings:
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
Aromatics and Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Boil pasta in generously salted water until perfectly tender, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain thoroughly and reserve.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and onion powder, then sear for 6–8 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove to a plate.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium. Introduce minced garlic and sauté for 60 seconds, releasing aromatic flavors without burning.
- Deglaze pan with chicken broth, creating a gentle simmering liquid foundation. Allow liquid to slightly reduce.
- Incorporate heavy cream, whisking smoothly. Gradually blend grated white cheddar cheese until sauce transforms into a luxurious, velvety consistency.
- Enhance sauce with dried Italian herbs. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Reintroduce cooked chicken into the creamy sauce, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated.
- Fold prepared pasta into the skillet, gently mixing until everything is evenly distributed and heated uniformly.
- Finish with a sprinkle of chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- Perfectly cook pasta by stirring occasionally and testing for doneness to avoid mushy texture.
- Select high-quality white cheddar cheese for richer, more robust flavor profile.
- Create gluten-free version by using alternative pasta like chickpea or rice pasta.
- Customize protein options by substituting chicken with shredded rotisserie chicken, turkey, or plant-based alternatives for vegetarian preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 605 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 7200 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 43 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg