Ever dream of a dish that delivers comfort, speed, and wholesome goodness all in one go? Let me introduce you to One Pot Cheesy Chicken Pasta. This isn’t just another recipe; it’s your new weeknight best friend. Imagine tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a blanket of gooey cheese, all ready in a flash. It’s quick, it’s healthy(ish!), and it’s bursting with flavor. Honestly, after a long day, it’s the hug in a bowl I desperately crave.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Growing up, my grandmother always had a way of making the simplest meals taste extraordinary. Her secret? Heart and convenience. This One Pot Cheesy Chicken Pasta reminds me so much of her cooking. It’s a way to get dinner on the table quickly on busy nights, but it doesn’t sacrifice flavor. It’s a celebration of comfort food, made simple. This particular recipe was inspired by a trip to Italy – and tweaked to better fit our busy lifestyles.
Ingredients
For the Pasta:
- 1 pound pasta (penne, rotini, or your favorite shape)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Cheesy Goodness:
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making the Recipe
- Sauté: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until browned. Then add onion and garlic to the pot and cook until softened (about 5 minutes).
- Combine: Pour in the chicken broth, diced tomatoes (undrained), basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Give it a good mix
- Pasta Time: Add pasta to the pot. Make sure the pasta is mostly covered with liquid. Add more broth or water of necessary.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until pasta is cooked al dente and chicken is cooked through. Be sure to stir occasionally to prevent pasta from sticking.
- Get Cheesy: Stir in milk, cheddar cheese, and Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley (optional) and serve immediately. Enjoy your deliciously simple One Pot Cheesy Chicken Pasta!
One Pot Cheesy Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until browned. Then add onion and garlic to the pot and cook until softened (about 5 minutes).1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 1 medium onion, 2 cloves garlic
- Pour in the chicken broth, diced tomatoes (undrained), basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Give it a good mix4 cups chicken broth, 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, Salt and pepper
- Add pasta to the pot. Make sure the pasta is mostly covered with liquid. Add more broth or water of necessary.1 pound pasta
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until pasta is cooked al dente and chicken is cooked through. Be sure to stir occasionally to prevent pasta from sticking.
- Stir in milk, cheddar cheese, and Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.1 cup milk, 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Garnish with fresh parsley (optional) and serve immediately. Enjoy your deliciously simple One Pot Cheesy Chicken Pasta!Fresh parsley