Description
This Chicken Creamy Pasta Pot is a comforting, one-pot meal combining tender chicken, creamy cheeses, and perfectly cooked pasta in a rich sauce. Easy to prepare and full of flavor, this dish is perfect for weeknight dinners and can be customized with veggies like spinach for added nutrition.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Dairy
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cups heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 cups baby spinach (optional)
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Pantry Staples
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 12 ounces penne or rotini pasta (uncooked)
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, seasoning them with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook the chicken until golden brown and fully cooked, approximately 5–6 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pot, add minced garlic and chopped onion. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until the mixture becomes fragrant and the onions turn translucent.
- Simmer Pasta and Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, then stir in the uncooked pasta. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the pot and simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Combine and Melt Cheeses: Stir the cooked chicken back into the pot along with the Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. Continue stirring until the cheeses melt thoroughly and the mixture becomes creamy.
- Add Spinach and Finish: If using, fold in the baby spinach and cook until wilted, about 1–2 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired, and serve hot.
Notes
- You can add mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, or peas for extra flavor and texture.
- For a lighter version, substitute cream with evaporated milk or whole milk.
- Use gluten-free pasta and broth to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Make sure to stir occasionally during simmering to prevent pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Italian-Inspired
