Description
A quick and comforting one-pan dish featuring tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a creamy cheese sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 250g pasta, uncooked (around 8oz)
- 2 tbsps oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 275g chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces (around 9.6 oz)
- 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp red chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp oregano
- 2 tbsps tomato paste
- 1 tsp chili sauce/sriracha
- 130ml milk (1/2 cup + 1 tbsp)
- 110ml double cream (1/4 cup + 3 tbsps)
- 100g mozzarella cheese + extra to sprinkle on top (1 cup + extra)
- 100–120ml pasta water (around 1/2 cup)
Instructions
- Begin by boiling the pasta in salted water with a splash of oil until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving some of the pasta water for later.
- In a large pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, sautéing until it’s light golden and fragrant.
- Next, introduce the cut chicken to the pan. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until the chicken turns white and is cooked through.
- Season the chicken with salt, black pepper, red chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and oregano. Stir well to combine.
- Add in the tomato paste and a splash of sriracha, cooking for another minute.
- Pour in the milk and double cream, simmering over medium-high heat until bubbling and the sauce thickens.
- Stir in the mozzarella cheese, mixing until melted and smooth. Gradually add the reserved pasta water to reach your desired sauce consistency.
- Finally, add the cooked pasta to the pan, stirring to coat evenly and heat through. Serve hot with an extra sprinkle of cheese on top!
Notes
Feel free to swap the chicken for shrimp or a plant-based alternative, and customize the spice levels based on your preferences. To elevate the dish, consider garnishing with fresh parsley or basil.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: pasta, chicken, quick meals, one-pan, weeknight dinner, comfort food