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Cheesy Chicken Pasta in Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe

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3.8 from 5 reviews

This cheesy chicken pasta is the ultimate comfort meal, combining tender chicken pieces with perfectly cooked pasta shells immersed in a rich, velvety tomato cream sauce. Enhanced with a blend of spices and topped with melted mozzarella cheese, it’s a satisfying dish perfect for cozy dinners.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 250g pasta (uncooked, about 8 oz)
  • Salt (for boiling water)
  • Oil (for boiling water)

Chicken & Seasonings

  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 275g chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces (about 9.6 oz)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon oregano (or Italian seasoning/mixed herbs)

Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon chilli sauce or sriracha
  • 130ml milk (1/2 cup + 1 tbsp)
  • 110ml double cream (1/4 cup + 3 tbsp)
  • 100g mozzarella cheese, plus extra to sprinkle on top (about 1 cup)
  • 100–120ml pasta water (about 1/2 cup, reserved from pasta cooking)

Instructions

  1. Boil Pasta: Add pasta to a pot filled with cold water, seasoning it with salt and a little oil to prevent sticking. Cook the pasta until al dente, ensuring it remains slightly firm to hold up during further cooking in the sauce. Drain and set aside, reserving about half a cup of pasta water.
  2. Cook Garlic: In a pan over medium heat, warm 2 tablespoons of oil. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until it turns light golden and fragrant.
  3. Cook Chicken: Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the pan with garlic. Cook on medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the chicken turns white and is cooked through.
  4. Season Chicken: Sprinkle salt, black pepper, red chilli powder, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and oregano over the chicken. Stir well to coat the chicken evenly with the spices.
  5. Add Tomato Paste and Chilli Sauce: Incorporate the tomato paste and sriracha into the chicken mixture. Cook for about 1 minute on medium-high heat to blend the flavors.
  6. Make Sauce: Gradually pour in the milk and double cream while stirring continuously. Maintain medium-high heat and cook until the mixture starts to bubble, about 1 minute.
  7. Add Cheese: Stir in the mozzarella cheese gently, allowing it to melt completely and fully incorporate into the creamy sauce.
  8. Add Pasta Water: Slowly add the reserved pasta water to the sauce, stirring continuously. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, which should take approximately 1.5 minutes, creating a smooth, creamy consistency.
  9. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, stirring thoroughly to coat all the pasta shells. Sprinkle extra cheese over the top, cover with a lid, and let it cook on low heat until the cheese melts, enhancing the creaminess.
  10. Serve: Once the cheese has melted into the sauce, serve the cheesy chicken pasta warm and enjoy your comforting meal.

Notes

  • Adjust salt according to your taste since the pasta water and cheese already add some saltiness.
  • You can add more pasta water if you prefer a thinner sauce; add gradually until you reach the desired consistency.
  • If oregano is unavailable, substitute with Italian seasoning or mixed herbs of your choice.

Find it online: https://bitezly.com/cheesy-chicken-pasta-in-tomato-cream-sauce-recipe/