Description
This creamy and cheesy chicken pasta combines tender pieces of chicken with pasta in a rich cheese sauce. It’s a satisfying dish that’s quick to prepare, making it ideal for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 10 ounces (280 g) penne pasta
- 1 pound (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
- 1/2 cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup red onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream
- 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta:
- Boil the penne pasta in salted water until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Chicken:
- In a small bowl, mix the oregano, paprika, garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
- Season the chicken pieces with this spice mixture.
- Dredge the seasoned chicken in flour, shaking off any excess.
- Cook the Chicken:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter.
- Add the chicken pieces and cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce:
- In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter.
- Sauté the minced garlic and chopped red onion until the onion becomes translucent.
- Stir in the Dijon mustard and tomato paste, cooking for an additional minute.
- Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until it slightly thickens.
- Combine Everything:
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, stirring to coat with the sauce.
- Add the drained pasta and toss to combine.
- Stir in the Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses until melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Serve:
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- For added flavor, consider incorporating vegetables like spinach or sun-dried tomatoes.
- Adjust the thickness of the sauce by adding more heavy cream or pasta water if needed.
- This recipe is inspired by Veena Azmanov’s Cheesy Chicken Breast Pasta.