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Creamy Chicken Mozzarella Pasta

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A comforting and easy-to-make creamy chicken mozzarella pasta dish featuring tender chicken, gooey mozzarella, and a silky sauce perfect for cozy dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced thin
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (about 150 g)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 50 g)
  • 8 oz (225 g) penne or rigatoni pasta
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz (225 g) penne and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually 9-11 minutes). Drain and set aside. Reserve about 1/2 cup (120 ml) of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, slice 1 lb (450 g) boneless chicken breasts into thin strips. Season with salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Pat chicken dry before seasoning.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken slices in a single layer and cook about 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken from pan and set aside. Avoid overcrowding the pan.
  4. In the same skillet, add a little more olive oil if needed. Add 1 small diced onion and 3 cloves minced garlic. Cook 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant, stirring often.
  5. Pour in 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth and 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream. Stir well, scraping up browned bits from the pan. Bring to a gentle simmer, keeping heat moderate to prevent cream from boiling.
  6. Slowly stir in 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until cheese melts and sauce is smooth. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to reach desired consistency.
  7. Return cooked chicken to the skillet, then add drained pasta. Toss gently to coat pasta evenly with sauce and combine with chicken.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with freshly chopped basil or parsley before serving. Optionally add cracked black pepper on top.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before seasoning for better sear. Add cheese gradually and stir constantly to avoid clumping. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Avoid boiling cream to prevent splitting. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta or spiralized zucchini. For dairy-free, substitute coconut cream and vegan mozzarella.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy chicken pasta, mozzarella pasta, comfort food, easy dinner, cheesy chicken pasta, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://cooltastes.com/creamy-chicken-mozzarella-pasta-recipe-easy-homemade-comfort-dinner/