Nostalgic Appeal
This pasta dish reminds me of those heartwarming family meals where a simple yet flavorful sauce transformed ordinary pasta into a special treat. The creamy tomato sauce, with its cheesy and savory flavors, is both familiar and inviting, evoking feelings of warmth and pure satisfaction.
Homemade Focus
While you could certainly use pre-made sauces or jarred ingredients, there’s something truly special about making this Cheesy Chicken Pasta from scratch. You control the quality of the ingredients, and the process of cooking the chicken, preparing the sauce, and combining it all with the pasta is surprisingly simple and rewarding.
Flavor Goal
The flavor profile I’m aiming for is a delightful balance of creamy, cheesy, and savory flavors with a hint of spice from the chili flakes. The chicken is seasoned with a blend of spices and cooked to perfection, adding a tender and juicy protein element. The sauce is a creamy blend of garlic, tomato paste, milk, cream, and mozzarella cheese, creating a rich and flavorful sauce that coats the pasta beautifully.
Ingredient Insights
Let’s explore the key ingredients that make this dish so special! We start with [pasta, cooked al dente for a perfect texture]. Then comes the [chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces and seasoned with a blend of spices]. We also incorporate [garlic, sautéed to create a fragrant base for the sauce]. The [tomato paste, milk, and cream, adding richness and depth to the sauce]. The [mozzarella cheese, melted into the sauce for a cheesy and satisfying finish]. And finally, the [pasta water, used to adjust the consistency of the sauce].
Essential Equipment
For this recipe, you’ll need a few key pieces of equipment: a large pot for cooking the pasta, a pan for cooking the chicken and making the sauce, and measuring spoons.
Ingredients
- 250g pasta, uncooked (around 8oz)
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 275g chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces (around 9.6 oz)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to your taste)
- 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
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon chili sauce/sriracha
- 130ml milk (1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon)
- 110ml double cream (1/4 cup + 3 tablespoons)
- 100g mozzarella cheese + extra to sprinkle on top
- 100-120ml pasta water (around 1/2 cup)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Add pasta to a pot with cold water, salt, and a little bit of oil. Cook until al dente.
- Cook Garlic: In a pan, warm up some oil, then add fresh, minced garlic. Cook over medium heat for around 1 minute or until the garlic becomes a light golden color.
- Cook Chicken: Add the bite-sized pieces of chicken to the pan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring, for around 3-4 minutes or until the chicken turns white.
- Seasonings: Add salt, pepper, red chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and oregano and mix into the chicken.
- Add Tomato Paste: Add a little bit of sriracha and the tomato paste and cook over medium-high heat for about 1 minute.
- Make the Sauce: Gradually add milk and cream and stir. Cook at medium-high heat while continuously stirring for about 1 minute or until the mixture starts bubbling.
- Add Cheese: Add your choice of cheese and gently mix it in until the cheese has melted and incorporated into the sauce.
- Add Pasta Water: Gradually add leftover pasta water and mix it into the sauce. Then, bring the mixture to a boil and keep stirring – this should take about 1.5 minutes.
- Add Pasta: At this point, your sauce should be quite thick and creamy. Add your cooked pasta and coat it fully with the sauce. Add a final sprinkle of cheese to the top, then cover with a lid and let the pasta cook over low heat until the cheese is melted.
- Serve: Serve immediately and enjoy!
Troubleshooting
- Pasta is mushy: Make sure you cook the pasta al dente according to package directions. Avoid overcooking the pasta in the sauce.
- Chicken is dry: Avoid overcooking the chicken. Cook just until it’s white and cooked through. You can also add a splash of chicken broth or white wine to the pan while cooking to keep the chicken moist.
- Sauce is too thin: Simmer the sauce for a longer time to allow it to reduce and thicken. You can also add a bit more cheese to thicken it.
- Sauce is too thick: Add more pasta water, a little at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
Tips and Variations
- Use different types of pasta, such as penne, rotini, or spaghetti.
- Add different vegetables to the dish, such as sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach.
- Adjust the level of spice by adding more or less chili flakes.
- Garnish with fresh herbs, such as basil or oregano, for a different flavor profile.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
This Cheesy Chicken Pasta is delicious on its own, but it also pairs well with a side salad and some crusty bread for dipping into the sauce. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal, a casual dinner party, or any time you want a flavorful and satisfying dish.
Nutritional Information (Estimated, per serving)
(This information is an estimate based on average values for the ingredients used and a serving size of 1 1/2 cups. Actual values may vary depending on specific brands, ingredient substitutions, and portion sizes.)
- Calories: Approximately 600-650
- Fat: Approximately 35-40g
- Saturated Fat: Approximately 18-20g
- Cholesterol: Approximately 120-140mg
- Protein: Approximately 35-40g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 50-55g
- Fiber: Approximately 2-3g
- Sugar: Approximately 5-7g
- Sodium: Approximately 600-700mg (may vary depending on the type of cheese used)
To get more precise nutritional information:
- Use a nutrition calculator: Many online calculators allow you to input the specific brands and quantities of ingredients you use. This will give you the most accurate results.
- Check food labels: Pay close attention to the nutrition facts panels on the packaging of your ingredients.
- Adjust for variations: If you make substitutions (e.g., different type of pasta), adjust the calculations accordingly.
Cheesy Chicken Pasta: A Creamy Dream
Description
This Cheesy Chicken Pasta recipe is a delicious and easy meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes. Learn how to make this creamy and flavorful pasta dish with our step-by-step guide
Ingredients
- 250g pasta, uncooked (around 8oz)
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 275g chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces (around 9.6 oz)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to your taste)
- 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
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon chili sauce/sriracha
- 130ml milk (1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon)
- 110ml double cream (1/4 cup + 3 tablespoons)
- 100g mozzarella cheese + extra to sprinkle on top
- 100–120ml pasta water (around 1/2 cup)
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Add pasta to a pot with cold water, salt, and a little bit of oil. Cook until al dente.
- Cook Garlic: In a pan, warm up some oil, then add fresh, minced garlic. Cook over medium heat for around 1 minute or until the garlic becomes a light golden color.
- Cook Chicken: Add the bite-sized pieces of chicken to the pan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring, for around 3-4 minutes or until the chicken turns white.
- Seasonings: Add salt, pepper, red chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and oregano and mix into the chicken.
- Add Tomato Paste: Add a little bit of sriracha and the tomato paste and cook over medium-high heat for about 1 minute.
- Make the Sauce: Gradually add milk and cream and stir. Cook at medium-high heat while continuously stirring for about 1 minute or until the mixture starts bubbling.
- Add Cheese: Add your choice of cheese and gently mix it in until the cheese has melted and incorporated into the sauce.
- Add Pasta Water: Gradually add leftover pasta water and mix it into the sauce. Then, bring the mixture to a boil and keep stirring – this should take about 1.5 minutes.
- Add Pasta: At this point, your sauce should be quite thick and creamy. Add your cooked pasta and coat it fully with the sauce. Add a final sprinkle of cheese to the top, then cover with a lid and let the pasta cook over low heat until the cheese is melted.
- Serve: Serve immediately and enjoy!
Recipe Summary and Q&A
Q: Can I make this pasta ahead of time?
A: It’s best to cook the pasta and make the sauce fresh for optimal texture and flavor. However, you can cook the chicken ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator.
Q: Can I freeze this pasta dish?
A: It’s not recommended to freeze this pasta dish, as the texture of the pasta and sauce may be affected.
Q: Can I use a different type of cheese?
A: Absolutely! You can substitute mozzarella with other types of cheese, such as provolone, Gruyère, or a blend of Italian cheeses.