the best cheesy chicken pasta
The Best Cheesy Chicken Pasta combines tender chicken, creamy cheese, and pasta for a comforting, flavorful meal. Versatile and customizable, it's perfect for any occasion and can be made to suit your dietary preferences.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into small bite-sized pieces)
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon pepper or to taste
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 8 ounces uncooked pasta such as penne, shells, rigatoni, etc.
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups broccoli cut into small florets, about 1 head of broccoli
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the chicken breasts to the skillet, seasoning them with salt and pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and begins to lightly brown.
- Add the chopped onions and minced garlic to the skillet, cooking for another 2 minutes until the onions soften slightly.
- Add the uncooked pasta, chicken broth, and milk, then bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, stir, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is cooked through.
- Uncover the skillet and stir in the broccoli. Continue cooking for a few more minutes until the liquid evaporates.
- Stir in the nutmeg and shredded cheddar cheese. Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if necessary.
Notes
Pasta Options: You can choose any pasta you prefer or have available. Penne, rigatoni, and shells are particularly good choices as they hold the sauce well.
Protein Alternatives: This recipe is flexible. You can swap the chicken for turkey, shrimp, or tofu for a vegetarian version.
Cheese Varieties: While this recipe uses cheddar, feel free to try other cheeses that melt nicely, such as Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or Gouda.
Storage: This dish keeps well in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. When reheating, add a splash of milk or broth to restore the creamy texture.
Add Some Spice: For a bit of heat, try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the salt and pepper when seasoning the chicken.
Protein Alternatives: This recipe is flexible. You can swap the chicken for turkey, shrimp, or tofu for a vegetarian version.
Cheese Varieties: While this recipe uses cheddar, feel free to try other cheeses that melt nicely, such as Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or Gouda.
Storage: This dish keeps well in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. When reheating, add a splash of milk or broth to restore the creamy texture.
Add Some Spice: For a bit of heat, try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the salt and pepper when seasoning the chicken.