Description
Hearty white cheddar chicken pasta delivers comfort through rich, cheesy goodness blended with tender chicken. Families will savor this simple yet satisfying meal that promises warmth and deliciousness in every comforting bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups chicken breast, shredded or diced
- 12 oz (340 grams) pasta (penne or shells)
- 1 1/2 cups white cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare pasta according to package directions, cooking until perfectly tender. Drain and reserve.
- Heat a spacious skillet over medium temperature, melting butter smoothly.
- Incorporate flour into melted butter, whisking constantly until the mixture turns a delicate golden hue, approximately 1-2 minutes.
- Pour milk gradually into the roux, stirring vigorously to eliminate potential clumping. Simmer until sauce reaches a luxurious, velvety consistency, roughly 3-4 minutes.
- Enhance the sauce with aromatic garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Fold in white cheddar cheese, stirring until completely dissolved and creating a silky texture.
- Introduce cooked chicken and prepared pasta into the creamy cheese sauce, gently tossing to ensure comprehensive coverage and uniform distribution of flavors.
- Transfer to serving dishes immediately, optionally adorning with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant, herbaceous touch.
Notes
- Choose a high-quality, sharp white cheddar for deeper flavor complexity and smoother melting.
- Cook pasta just shy of al dente since it will continue absorbing sauce while mixing, preventing potential mushiness.
- Swap regular flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend to make the recipe celiac-friendly without compromising sauce consistency.
- Replace chicken with grilled tofu, shredded rotisserie turkey, or plant-based chicken alternatives for diverse dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 507 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 338 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 78 mg