Description
Creamy White Cheddar Chicken Pasta is a comforting and quick weeknight meal made with tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a rich white cheddar sauce. This dish is designed to be simple yet flavorful, making it a family favorite that's easy to prepare.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon Olive oil
1.5 pounds Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 medium Yellow onion, finely chopped
3 cloves Garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Dried Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
1/4 teaspoon Salt (or to taste)
4 cups Chicken broth
1 cup Whole milk
8 ounces Cream cheese, softened and cut into cubes
2 cups Shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
16 ounces Short pasta (such as penne, rotini, or cavatappi)
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta: Begin by cooking your chosen pasta according to the package directions until it reaches al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Set the cooked pasta aside
- Cook the Chicken: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken to the hot oil. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside
- Sauté Aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped yellow onion to the same pot, scraping up any browned bits from the chicken. Cook the onion until it softens and becomes translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Then, add the minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Cook for another minute until fragrant
- Build the Creamy Sauce Base: Pour in the chicken broth and whole milk. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently. Add the softened cream cheese, cube by cube, whisking continuously until it fully melts and the sauce appears smooth and lump-free
- Melt the White Cheddar: Gradually stir in the shredded sharp white cheddar cheese, a handful at a time, continuing to stir until melted and the sauce is smooth and thick. If too thick, add reserved pasta water if needed
- Combine Everything: Return the cooked chicken to the pot with the sauce. Add the drained pasta. Toss well to coat everything in the sauce. Adjust consistency if needed with more reserved pasta water
- Serve: Ladle portions into bowls and garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately
Notes
For a thicker sauce, gently simmer to reduce or add more cheese.
Reserve pasta water is essential for adjusting sauce consistency.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg