Description
Indulgent white cheddar chicken pasta blends rich, velvety cheese with tender chicken in a comforting symphony of flavors. Quick weeknight dinners never tasted so luxurious, inviting you to savor each creamy, satisfying bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
Carbohydrates:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) pasta (penne, fusilli, or your choice)
Dairy and Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
- 1 cup white cheddar cheese, shredded
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare pasta according to package directions, ensuring al dente texture. Drain thoroughly and reserve.
- Heat a large skillet over medium temperature, melting butter until it becomes golden and fragrant.
- Sprinkle flour into melted butter, whisking continuously for 1-2 minutes to create a smooth, light roux without burning.
- Slowly pour milk into the roux, maintaining constant whisking to prevent lumps from forming. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Reduce heat and incorporate shredded white cheddar cheese, stirring until completely melted and sauce becomes silky and uniform.
- Season the creamy sauce with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper, adjusting to taste preference.
- Fold cooked chicken and prepared pasta into the cheese sauce, gently tossing to ensure every piece is evenly and luxuriously coated.
- Transfer to serving dishes immediately while sauce remains hot and glossy. Optional: Garnish with finely chopped fresh parsley for a bright, herbaceous touch.
Notes
- Customize the pasta type for gluten-free diets by using alternative pasta made from rice, quinoa, or chickpea flour.
- Choose low-fat milk and reduced-fat cheese to create a lighter version of this creamy dish without compromising flavor.
- Enhance protein content by adding sautéed vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or broccoli for extra nutrition and texture.
- Prepare chicken in advance or use rotisserie chicken to save time and simplify the cooking process.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 431 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg