Frederic Melton
Chicken pasta is a hearty meal that can be cooked in a variety of ways, with different sauces, cheeses, and vegetables. It is a versatile dish that can be adapted to suit individual tastes and preferences. For example, creamy chicken pasta is a popular option, where chicken is cooked in a cream sauce with garlic and Parmesan cheese, while others may prefer a garlic tomato sauce topped with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Chicken pasta can also be made in an Italian style, using tomato passata, or with a Cajun twist, incorporating spices such as smoked paprika, oregano, thyme, and cayenne pepper. This dish is typically served with short pasta shapes, such as penne, shells, or linguine, and can be ready in as little as 15 minutes, making it a convenient weeknight meal for families.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Dish | Main Course |
| Cuisine | Italian, Cajun |
| Main Ingredients | Chicken, Pasta, Cheese |
| Cheese Options | Parmesan, Romano, Mozzarella, Cream Cheese |
| Additional Ingredients | Garlic, Cream, Lemon, Vegetables (onion, carrot, celery, bell peppers, spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes), Spices (rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, salt), Olive Oil, Butter, Wine, Chicken Broth, Basil |
| Preparation Time | 15-20 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Total Time | 20-30 minutes |
| Servings | 2 |
| Storage | Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the chicken
Firstly, choose your preferred chicken cut. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are a popular choice as they cook quickly and evenly. However, you can also opt for chicken thighs, which some prefer for their flavour. If you go with chicken breasts, use a rolling pin to flatten them to an even thickness of about 1-1.5 cm. This ensures even cooking.
Next, season your chicken generously. A simple combination of salt and pepper works well, but feel free to experiment with other spices and seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, or smoked paprika to add extra flavour. You can also try coating the chicken in Cajun seasoning for a spicy kick.
Now it's time to cook the chicken. Heat some olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. You can also add butter for added richness and flavour. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the chicken in the pan. For whole chicken breasts or thighs, cook for about 2 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. If you're using cubed chicken, cook for a couple of minutes until the outside gets some colour, and then continue with the next step.
For extra flavour, you can add other ingredients to the pan along with the chicken. Sautéed onions, bell peppers, carrots, celery, and garlic are all great options. You can also add a splash of wine to the pan to infuse the chicken with flavour. Just be sure to cook it off before adding any liquid ingredients.
Once your chicken is cooked to perfection, it's time to combine it with the other components of your pasta dish. Remember to let it rest for a few minutes before slicing or shredding, as this helps retain moisture and ensures juicy, tender meat.
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Making the sauce
To make a creamy sauce for your chicken pasta, you'll need a combination of dairy products and spices. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Prepare the ingredients
Gather your ingredients, including butter, olive oil, cream or cream cheese, chicken broth or stock, and spices such as garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or sage can add a lovely flavour to the sauce. You can also add vegetables like carrots, onions, and celery to form the base of your sauce.
Step 2: Sauté the vegetables
Heat some olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the chopped vegetables and cook until they are tender. This usually takes around 10 minutes.
Step 3: Brown the chicken
Add the chicken to the pan and brown it for a few minutes on each side. You can use chicken breasts or thighs, but make sure to flatten the meat to an even thickness before adding it to the pan. This ensures even cooking.
Step 4: Add liquids and spices
Pour in a glass of wine and let it infuse and evaporate slowly. Then, add your tomato passata or crushed tomatoes, along with the spices and herbs. If you're using wine, you can skip adding the tomato passata and instead deglaze the pan with wine after searing the chicken.
Step 5: Simmer the sauce
Let the sauce simmer for 20-30 minutes, then add some chicken stock or broth and continue cooking for another 50 minutes to an hour. Keep the lid on while cooking and stir occasionally.
Step 6: Thicken the sauce
If you want a thicker sauce, you can add some cream or cream cheese. Stir it into the sauce until it melts and creates a creamy consistency. You can also add small splashes of pasta water to adjust the consistency.
Step 7: Season to taste
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more salt, pepper, garlic powder, or any other spices to suit your preference.
Once your sauce is ready, you can combine it with your cooked pasta and chicken, topping it with your choice of cheese. Enjoy your delicious chicken pasta!
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Choosing the pasta
Choosing the right pasta is an important step in making chicken pasta. While the type of pasta you use is flexible and can be tailored to your personal preference, there are some varieties that are more suitable for this dish than others.
Firstly, consider the shape of the pasta. Short pasta shapes are typically recommended for chicken pasta. Examples include penne, shells, and other similar varieties. These shapes tend to work well because they provide a substantial bite and can hold the sauce effectively. Longer noodles, such as spaghetti, are generally less suitable as they can be more challenging to eat and may not hold the sauce in the same way.
Additionally, you can also opt for whole wheat or gluten-free pasta options if you prefer. These alternatives can add a nutty flavour or cater to specific dietary requirements without sacrificing the overall enjoyment of the dish.
When preparing the pasta, it is generally advisable to undercook it by about a minute. This is because the pasta will continue to cook when combined with the sauce and chicken. Undercooking it slightly initially helps to ensure that the pasta doesn't become overcooked and mushy by the time you serve it.
Remember, the beauty of chicken pasta is that it is versatile, so feel free to experiment with different pasta shapes and varieties to find the ones that suit your taste and preferences.
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Combining the ingredients
To make chicken pasta with cheese, you'll need to combine your ingredients in a few different stages.
First, prepare your chicken. If you're using chicken breasts, flatten them to an even thickness of about 1-1.5cm. You can do this by placing some plastic wrap over the top and hitting it with a rolling pin. Season the chicken with salt and pepper on each side, and dust with flour. If you're making a creamy Cajun chicken pasta, cut the chicken into 0.5-0.75-inch cubes and stir to coat the chicken in Cajun spices.
Next, heat some olive oil in a pan over a medium-high heat and fry the chicken. If you're making the Cajun variety, add butter to the pan as well as olive oil. Fry the chicken for 2 minutes on each side, or until cooked through. If you're making the Cajun chicken pasta, add the diced onion to the skillet and sauté for about 2 minutes, or until the onion begins to soften.
Now, it's time to add the other ingredients to your pan. If you're making the Cajun chicken pasta, add the pasta, fire-roasted diced tomatoes (with their juices), and chicken broth to the skillet. Stir until everything is combined, then place a lid on top and let the broth come to a boil. Once boiling, turn the heat down and let the pasta simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and the liquid is thick. If you're making the Italian-style chicken pasta, add carrot, onion, and celery to the pot for the chicken pasta sauce soffritto/base. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, then add your chicken thighs. Brown the chicken for a few minutes on each side, then add fresh rosemary and a glass of wine. Leave the wine to infuse, turning the chicken over to ensure both sides are cooked and full of flavour. Allow the wine to evaporate, then add two bottles of tomato passata and mix.
Finally, add the cheese. For the Cajun chicken pasta, add chunks of cream cheese to the skillet and stir until it has melted into the sauce. For the Italian-style chicken pasta, grate or shred the cheese—Parmesan and Romano work well—and sprinkle it into the sauce, stirring continuously. Add the cooked chicken along with any juices, and toss to combine.
You can also add pasta water, small splashes at a time, and toss gently until you reach your desired consistency.
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Serving suggestions
This chicken pasta is a comforting, delicious, and dependable meal that can be served with any kind of pasta. It is also customisable, allowing you to add vegetables or sausages, depending on your preference.
The creamy sauce can be loaded with garlic and parmesan cheese, and freshened up with lemon to cut through the richness. You can also add parsley as a garnish.
For a wine pairing, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, or Pinot Grigio are good choices. Chicken broth can be used as a substitute if you don't cook with wine.
If you have leftovers, you can reheat them in a makeshift double boiler to restore them to their original consistency. Adding reserved pasta water while reheating can help to smooth the sauce.
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Frequently asked questions
The ingredients are boneless chicken breasts or thighs, onion, bell peppers, olive oil, pasta, salt, cheese, and garlic. You can also add rosemary, wine, and tomato passata.
First, flatten the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1-1.5 cm. Season the breasts with salt and pepper, and dust with flour. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat and fry the chicken for 2 minutes on each side or until cooked through.
Cook the pasta in well-salted boiling water, undercooking by 1 minute. Drain the water and toss the pasta with olive oil.
Heat oil in a pan and add onion, garlic, and chilli flakes. Cook for 1 minute and then add tomatoes and sugar. Simmer for 20 minutes. Separately, saute the chicken and add the marinara sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add the cooked pasta to the chicken mixture and sprinkle cheese on top. Broil the cheese in the oven until it turns bubbly and golden.
