Chicken Mozzarella Pasta Recipe
A creamy and cheesy Chicken Mozzarella Pasta recipe featuring tender chicken breast, al dente pasta, and a rich tomato-cream sauce infused with Italian herbs and garlic. This comforting dish is topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese and garnished with fresh basil for a flavorful and satisfying meal.
- Author: Rita
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing, Simmering, Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Halal
Protein
- 300 g chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
Pasta
- 300 g pasta (penne or your choice)
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
- 1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish & Optional
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
- Optional: red pepper flakes for heat
- Cook the pasta: Boil salted water and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and dried Italian herbs. Cook until golden brown and fully cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté garlic: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add crushed tomatoes: Pour crushed tomatoes into the skillet and bring to a simmer. Let cook for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld together.
- Stir in cream: Add heavy cream to the tomato sauce and simmer for another 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce becomes creamy and smooth.
- Return chicken: Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet and stir to coat it well with the creamy sauce.
- Toss pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and gently toss everything together so the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
- Add cheese: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese on top. Stir the pasta gently until the cheeses melt and the sauce turns creamy and cheesy.
- Garnish and season: Remove from heat. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and add red pepper flakes if you prefer a bit of heat.
- Serve hot: Plate the pasta while warm and enjoy your delicious and comforting Chicken Mozzarella Pasta!
Notes
- Use penne or any pasta shape that holds sauce well.
- Adjust seasoning to your taste, adding more herbs or pepper flakes if desired.
- Heavy cream can be substituted with half-and-half for a lighter version, but sauce may be less rich.
- For a lower-fat option, use part-skim mozzarella and reduce olive oil slightly.
- Fresh basil can be replaced with fresh parsley if preferred.
- Make sure not to overcook the pasta; al dente texture holds up better in the sauce.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated gently.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 530 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: Chicken pasta, mozzarella pasta, creamy tomato pasta, Italian chicken recipe, cheesy pasta dish