Description
How to make creamy chicken mozzarella pasta with tender chicken, melted cheese, and aromatic herbs that creates the ultimate comfort food dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce Components
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
Cheese and Seasonings
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella, cubed
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
- 1 medium tomato, diced
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook penne according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining completely.
- Season Chicken: Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and fragrant.
- Cook Chicken: Add chicken to hot skillet and cook 5-6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside temporarily.
- Build Sauce: In same skillet, add butter and garlic, cooking 30 seconds until aromatic. Whisk in flour, then slowly add wine, broth, and cream while whisking constantly.
- Add Cheese: Bring sauce to gentle simmer, then remove from heat. Add mozzarella and Parmesan, stirring until melted and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine Everything: Return chicken to skillet along with drained pasta. Toss everything together, adding pasta water as needed for perfect consistency. Garnish with basil and tomatoes.
Notes
- Remove pan from heat before adding cheese to prevent stringy, clumpy sauce.
- Store leftovers in refrigerator up to 3 days in airtight container.
- Substitute white wine with extra chicken broth if preferred.
- Add pasta water gradually to achieve perfect sauce consistency.
- Use room temperature mozzarella for smoother melting.
- Season chicken well before cooking for maximum flavor throughout.
Allergy Information: Dairy, Gluten
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Protein: 35g