Description
White Cheddar Chicken Pasta is a creamy and cheesy dish featuring tender, seasoned chicken breast strips served over cavatappi noodles coated in a luscious white cheddar sauce. This comforting recipe is perfect for family dinners or gatherings, offering a combination of savory flavors with a hint of spice from red pepper flakes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Pasta
- 16 ounces cavatappi noodles, cooked al dente according to package instructions
Sauce
- ¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g) unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons garlic, chopped
- ¼ cup (31 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (490 g) whole milk
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups (226 g) white cheddar cheese, shredded
Garnish
- Parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, combine kosher salt, black pepper, dry mustard, and paprika. Season the chicken breasts evenly on all sides with this mixture to infuse flavor.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken breasts. Cook for 5 minutes on one side, then flip the chicken, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook an additional 5 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside, tented to keep warm.
- Prepare the Sauce Base: In the same skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the flour and stir constantly for 1 minute to cook off the raw taste.
- Add Milk and Thicken Sauce: Slowly pour in the whole milk while whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Scrape the bottom of the skillet to loosen any flavorful browned chicken bits. Add dry mustard, crushed red pepper flakes, and kosher salt. Reduce the heat and let the sauce simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Melt Cheese and Combine Pasta: Stir in the shredded white cheddar cheese until fully melted and smooth. Add the cooked cavatappi noodles to the sauce and toss well to coat all the pasta evenly.
- Serve with Chicken and Garnish: Slice the cooked chicken into strips and place on top of the cheesy pasta. Garnish with chopped parsley and additional red pepper flakes if desired. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- This dish is perfect for comforting family meals or entertaining friends, offering creamy cheesy flavors that satisfy all palates.
- The white cheddar pasta can be enjoyed on its own without chicken for a vegetarian option.
- Use freshly grated white cheddar for the best melt and flavor in the sauce.
- Cook pasta al dente to provide a pleasant texture contrast with the creamy sauce.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute whole milk with 2% milk but the sauce may be less creamy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 735 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
