Description
Comfort meets culinary delight in this white cheddar chicken pasta, where rich, velvety cheese sauce embraces tender pasta and succulent chicken. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, promising a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb (454 g) chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne, fettuccine, or rotini)
- 2 cups (480 ml) shredded white cheddar cheese
Dairy and Cream Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 2 cups (480 ml) milk
- 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons (28 g) butter
Seasoning and Cooking Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (16 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or chives (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta in boiling water according to package guidelines, ensuring al dente texture. Drain thoroughly and reserve.
- Season chicken pieces with a blend of salt, ground black pepper, and warm paprika. Sear in a heated skillet with olive oil until golden brown and completely cooked through. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.
- Using the same skillet, melt butter and introduce minced garlic. Sauté briefly until aromatic and translucent.
- Sprinkle flour into the butter-garlic mixture, creating a smooth roux. Whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste.
- Slowly incorporate milk and heavy cream, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Simmer gently until the sauce thickens and develops a silky consistency.
- Reduce heat to low and gradually fold in white cheddar and Parmesan cheeses. Stir until completely melted and sauce becomes luxuriously creamy.
- Enhance sauce with onion powder, additional salt, and pepper to balance flavors. Gently fold cooked chicken and reserved pasta into the cheese sauce, ensuring even coating.
- Transfer to serving dishes and garnish with fresh chopped parsley or delicate chives for a touch of brightness and color.
Notes
- Choose high-quality white cheddar with sharp flavor for maximum taste complexity and creamy texture.
- Gradually add cheese at low heat and stir continuously to ensure smooth, silky sauce without graininess.
- Swap chicken with turkey, shrimp, or plant-based protein alternatives for diverse dietary preferences.
- Replace regular flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend to make recipe celiac-friendly without compromising sauce thickness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 860
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 50 g
- Saturated Fat: 24 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 66 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 47 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg