Description

A deliciously creamy and cheesy chicken pasta recipe featuring tender seasoned chicken pieces and a rich cheese sauce made with cheddar, Parmesan, and mozzarella. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, this dish combines simplicity and flavor using common pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Chicken

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Pasta

12 ounces pasta (penne or rotini)

Cheese Sauce

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1 cup chicken broth
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese

Garnish

Chopped parsley (optional)

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Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
Season and Cook the Chicken: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. In a bowl, season the chicken pieces with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Make the Cheese Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the milk and chicken broth, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Continue cooking until the sauce thickens, about 4 to 5 minutes.
Add the Cheese: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar, grated Parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses until melted and the sauce is smooth.
Combine: Return the cooked pasta and chicken to the skillet, stirring well to coat everything evenly with the cheese sauce.
Serve: Serve the cheesy chicken pasta warm, garnished with chopped parsley if desired.

Notes

Use rotisserie chicken for a quicker preparation.
Add steamed broccoli or fresh spinach to incorporate vegetables for added nutrition.
For a gluten-free option, substitute regular pasta and flour with gluten-free alternatives.