Description
This Cheesy Chicken Pasta recipe combines tender chicken pieces with a creamy, flavorful cheese sauce and perfectly cooked pasta for a quick and satisfying meal. Enhanced with a blend of garlic, paprika, and chili spices, this dish offers a comforting, cheesy delight with a subtle kick.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 250g pasta, uncooked (around 8oz)
- Salt, for pasta water
- 2 tablespoons oil (for boiling pasta and cooking)
Chicken and Seasoning
- 275g chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces (around 9.6 oz)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon chili sauce or sriracha
- 130ml milk (1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon)
- 110ml double cream (1/4 cup + 3 tablespoons)
- 100g mozzarella cheese + extra for topping (1 cup + extra)
- 100–120ml pasta water (around 1/2 cup), reserved
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Cook the pasta in salted, oiled boiling water until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set aside, reserving about half a cup of pasta water for later use.
- Cook Garlic: Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until it turns golden and fragrant, about one minute.
- Cook Chicken: Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the pan and cook over medium-high heat for about 3-4 minutes until the chicken turns white and is partially cooked through.
- Season Chicken: Sprinkle salt, black pepper, red chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and oregano over the chicken. Stir thoroughly to coat the chicken evenly with the spices.
- Add Tomato Paste: Stir in the tomato paste and chili sauce (or sriracha), cooking the mixture for about 1 minute on medium-high heat to deepen the flavors.
- Make Sauce: Gradually pour in the milk and double cream while stirring constantly. Continue to cook over medium-high heat until the sauce starts to bubble and slightly thicken.
- Add Cheese: Add the mozzarella cheese to the sauce and stir continuously until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Add Pasta Water and Combine: Slowly add the reserved pasta water to the sauce, stirring until the sauce reaches a thick and creamy consistency. Mix the cooked pasta into the sauce, ensuring it is well coated.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water when draining as it helps to loosen the sauce and make it creamier.
- Use freshly grated mozzarella for smoother melting.
- Adjust chili sauce amount to control spiciness.
- If preferred, garnish the dish with fresh herbs like parsley or basil for added flavor and color.
- For a richer taste, replace milk with half-and-half if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-Italian
