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Creamy One-Pot Cheesy Chicken Pasta

A fork lifts a generous portion of cheesy chicken pasta, showing dramatic, long cheese pulls.
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Make this simple, rich, and creamy cheesy chicken pasta on the stovetop. It is a quick comfort food dinner perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound dried pasta (like rotini or penne)
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the cooking water. Set the cooked pasta aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  6. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and the cubed cream cheese until the cream cheese melts completely into a smooth sauce.
  7. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese until fully melted and the sauce is rich and creamy. Add paprika.
  8. Return the cooked chicken and the drained pasta to the pot. Stir everything together until the pasta and chicken are well coated in the cheese sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
  9. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve 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 pre-cooked rotisserie chicken for quicker preparation.
  • Use high-quality cheese for the best melt and flavor in your rich cheese sauce pasta.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kingscook.com/cheesy-chicken-pasta-recipe-easy-creamy/