Description
Indulgent Chicken Mozzarella Pasta delivers a symphony of Italian-inspired flavors that dance across palates with creamy elegance. Melted cheese, tender chicken, and perfectly al dente pasta create a comforting meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (1 lb) chicken breasts, sliced into small pieces
- 8 ounces (8 oz) macaroni pasta or penne pasta
- 4 ounces (4 oz) sun-dried tomatoes (without oil), sliced into small chunks
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, crushed
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Creamy Sauce and Herbs:
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup half-and-half (½ cup milk + ½ cup heavy cream)
- ½ tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- ⅓ cup pasta water
Instructions
- Infuse olive oil with minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes in a large skillet over medium heat, releasing aromatic flavors for about 60 seconds. Remove tomatoes, preserving the infused oil.
- Coat chicken pieces with a blend of salt, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Quickly sear chicken over high heat for approximately one minute per side until golden, then set aside.
- Prepare pasta according to package instructions, carefully reserving one-third cup of starchy pasta water before draining.
- Transform the skillet into a creamy sauce haven by introducing half-and-half and mozzarella. Gently elevate temperature, allowing the mixture to reach a slow boil, then reduce heat and stir consistently until cheese melts into a luxurious, smooth sauce.
- Marry the cooked pasta with the velvety sauce, ensuring each pasta strand is generously coated with the creamy mixture.
- Enhance the dish’s complexity by incorporating salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, dried oregano, and freshly chopped parsley. Allow the ingredients to meld together through a brief simmering process.
- Calibrate sauce consistency by gradually introducing reserved pasta water, creating the perfect texture and preventing excessive thickness.
- Present the pasta with an elegant flourish of additional oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes to elevate visual appeal and provide an extra flavor dimension.
Notes
- Ensure garlic doesn’t burn by watching it closely during sautéing, as burned garlic turns bitter and ruins the sauce’s delicate flavor profile.
- Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help achieve a perfect golden-brown exterior and lock in maximum flavor during cooking.
- Reserve pasta water strategically as it contains starchy goodness that helps sauce cling beautifully to pasta and creates a silkier texture.
- Experiment with protein alternatives like sh
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg