The Best Cheesy Chicken Pasta

Introduction

When you crave a comfort food that’s creamy, savory, and full of satisfying flavor, The Best Cheesy Chicken Pasta fits the bill perfectly. This dish brings together juicy chicken, tender pasta, and an irresistibly gooey cheese sauce in a recipe that’s as easy as it is crowd-pleasing. It’s perfect for quick weeknight dinners, potlucks, or when you want a guaranteed family favorite.

Why This Cheesy Chicken Pasta Stands Out

What makes this recipe stand out is the velvety cheese sauce that coats every bite of chicken and pasta, delivering richness without feeling heavy. The combination of mild and sharp cheeses adds depth and complexity, while the seasoned chicken keeps things hearty and flavorful. It’s a one-pan wonder that’s both simple to make and sure to satisfy.

Preparing a Creamy Cheese Sauce

The secret to a lush, perfectly smooth cheese sauce is to start with a quick roux of butter and flour, followed by milk for luscious creaminess. Melting both cheddar and mozzarella into this base delivers gooey stretch and bold flavor. A pinch of garlic powder and smoked paprika enhances the depth of the sauce and complements the chicken beautifully.

Easy Assembly for Cheesy Chicken Pasta

After cooking your seasoned chicken until golden and juicy, toss it with freshly cooked pasta right in the same pan. Pour the silky cheese sauce over everything and stir gently to coat. For extra comfort, top with more cheese and pop the pan under the broiler for a bubbly, golden finish.

Serving Suggestions for the Best Cheesy Chicken Pasta

Serve with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for color and a burst of freshness. A side salad or steamed green veggies rounds out the meal and balances the richness of the cheese. Garlic bread makes a wonderful addition for soaking up every bit of the creamy sauce.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields approximately 6 hearty servings, each providing around 430 to 500 calories, depending on cheese type and any optional add-ins. It’s filling enough to serve as a standalone meal for lunch or dinner.

The Best Cheesy Chicken Pasta (Recap)

This cheesy chicken pasta combines the ease of a weeknight staple with the indulgence of a favorite restaurant dish. Creamy, cheesy, and comforting, it’s sure to become a fixture on your family’s meal rotation.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet or saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add the chicken, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook until chicken is golden and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Remove to a plate and set aside.
3. In the same pan, sprinkle in the flour and whisk for 30 seconds. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Cook until slightly thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Reduce heat to low, then stir in the cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
5. Add the cooked pasta and chicken to the cheese sauce, stirring gently until everything is thoroughly coated.
6. Optional: For a bubbly, golden top, sprinkle extra cheese on top and broil for 2-3 minutes until melted and slightly browned.
7. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.

Weekly Meal Planning

This cheesy chicken pasta is perfect for preparing in advance and including in your meal plan. Save and schedule this recipe to efficiently build your weekly menu and let CookifyAI generate a smart shopping list that combines ingredients from all planned meals—streamlining grocery shopping and meal prep.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically calculates total ingredient quantities for all scheduled recipes
• Organizes shopping lists by grocery store section
• Helps you avoid duplicate purchases or forgotten ingredients
• Makes meal prep and weeknight cooking more efficient

Pro tip: Schedule multiple recipes in CookifyAI so shared ingredients like cheese or chicken are tallied and you buy only what you need—saving time, money, and reducing food waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes