Description
This Creamy White Cheddar Chicken Pasta is rich, comforting, and quick to prepare, perfect for any night of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz pasta (penne, fusilli, or rotini)
- 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or diced)
- ½ tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
- 1 ½ cups white cheddar cheese (shredded)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
- To start off, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your pasta and cook it according to the package instructions until it reaches al dente. Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining it.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then add it to the skillet. Cook until golden and cooked through, about 5 minutes on each side. Remove from skillet.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter. Stir in the flour and cook for about a minute. Gradually whisk in the milk until thickened, about 3 minutes. Add cheese, garlic powder, and onion powder, stirring until smooth and creamy.
- Add chicken and drained pasta back to the skillet, tossing to coat in the sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
This dish is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in the fridge for a couple of days. Reheat with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
Nutrition
- Calories: Approximately 600 per serving
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Protein: 35 g