Description

One Pot Cheesy Chicken Pasta is a delicious and comforting dinner recipe that combines tender chicken pieces, creamy cheeses, and perfectly cooked pasta all in one pot. This easy stovetop meal is packed with flavor from Italian seasoning and smoked paprika, making it a perfect family-friendly dinner that comes together quickly with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Vegetables and Aromatics

1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced

Pasta and Liquids

12 ounces uncooked pasta (penne or rotini)
3 cups chicken broth
1 cup milk

Cheeses

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Garnish

Chopped parsley

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Instructions

Cook the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and season with Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 4–5 minutes until the chicken is lightly browned on all sides.
Sauté Onions and Garlic: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot with the chicken. Sauté for another 2–3 minutes until the onions become soft and translucent, releasing their aroma.
Add Pasta and Liquids: Stir in the uncooked pasta, chicken broth, and milk. Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil.
Simmer and Cook Pasta: Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot and cook for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
Add Cheeses: Remove the pot from heat. Stir in shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and grated Parmesan cheese until everything is melted and forms a creamy sauce coating the pasta and chicken.
Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped parsley on top for freshness and serve the cheesy chicken pasta hot, directly from the pot.

Notes

For extra vegetables, add spinach or steamed broccoli at the end of cooking.
To add some heat, stir in red pepper flakes or substitute pepper jack cheese for the mozzarella.
Use penne or rotini pasta for best results as they hold sauce well.
Stir occasionally during simmering to prevent pasta from sticking to the bottom.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American