Creamy Chicken Mozzarella Pasta

This creamy chicken mozzarella pasta has become my absolute go-to dinner recipe when I need to impress without stress. The combination of tender chicken, melty mozzarella, and perfectly cooked pasta creates a restaurant-quality meal right in your own kitchen.

I first created this dish when unexpected guests arrived during a rainstorm. With limited pantry options, this pasta came together like magic, and now it's requested at every family gathering.

Ingredients

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts: create the protein foundation and stay juicy when cooked properly
• Heavy cream: provides the luxurious base for the sauce without requiring any complicated roux
• Mozzarella cheese: melts beautifully into silky strings that cling to every piece of pasta
• Penne pasta: works perfectly because its tubular shape captures pockets of the creamy sauce
• Fresh garlic: adds aromatic depth that dried versions simply cannot match
• Red pepper flakes: bring a subtle heat that balances the richness of the cheese and cream
• Fresh parsley: brightens the finished dish with color and a fresh herbal note

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare and Cook Chicken:

Season both sides of chicken breasts thoroughly with salt, pepper, and dried basil. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until it shimmers but doesn't smoke. Place chicken in the hot skillet and cook without moving for 5-6 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook another 5-6 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a cutting board and allow to rest for maximum juiciness.

Create the Flavor Base:

Add minced garlic to the same skillet with all those delicious chicken bits. Cook for exactly one minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning. The garlic should become fragrant but not brown, which would make it bitter. This aromatic foundation flavors the entire sauce.

Develop the Sauce:

Pour chicken broth into the skillet, using a wooden spoon to scrape up all the flavorful browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer until slightly reduced, then add heavy cream. Allow this mixture to gently simmer for 2-3 minutes, watching as it begins to thicken slightly. This patience pays off in sauce development.

Cook the Pasta:

While the sauce simmers, cook penne in generously salted water until just al dente. Remember to reserve some pasta water before draining. This starchy water is liquid gold for adjusting sauce consistency later.

Combine Components:

Lower heat under the skillet and add both cheeses, stirring gently until completely melted. Add pasta directly to the sauce, tossing to coat every piece. If needed, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until you reach your ideal creaminess. Slice rested chicken into thin strips and add to the pasta mixture along with final seasonings.

Finish and Serve:

Remove from heat and let stand for 1-2 minutes, allowing flavors to marry. Sprinkle with fresh parsley just before serving for a burst of color and flavor.

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The mozzarella is truly the star of this dish. I discovered that allowing the cheese to come to room temperature before adding to the sauce creates an incredibly smooth texture. My husband once proclaimed this better than our favorite Italian restaurant's version, which might be the highest cooking compliment I've ever received.

Make Ahead and Storage

This chicken mozzarella pasta keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to three days. Store it in an airtight container and reheat it gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk or cream to revive the sauce. The flavors actually develop further overnight, making this possibly even more delicious as leftovers. If freezing portions, slightly undercook the pasta initially, as it will soften further when reheated.

Customization Options

This recipe welcomes creative adaptations based on what you have available. Sun-dried tomatoes add wonderful tangy sweetness, while sautéed mushrooms bring earthy depth. For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and add extra chicken broth. Spinach or kale can be stirred in during the final minutes for added nutrition and color. Feel free to swap penne for any short pasta such as farfalle or rotini.

Perfect Pairings

Serve this rich pasta with a crisp arugula salad dressed simply with lemon juice and olive oil to balance the creaminess. A glass of medium-bodied white wine like Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay complements the flavors perfectly. For a complete meal, add garlic bread for sauce-sopping goodness. This dish shines as the centerpiece of casual dinner parties or weeknight family meals alike.

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Recipe FAQs

→ Can I use different pasta shapes for this dish?

Absolutely! While penne works wonderfully because its tubular shape holds the creamy sauce, you can substitute with farfalle, fusilli, or rigatoni for similar results. Longer pastas like fettuccine or linguine also work well but will create a different eating experience.

→ How can I make this dish lighter?

To create a lighter version, substitute half-and-half or whole milk for the heavy cream, though the sauce won't be quite as rich. You can also reduce the amount of cheese by half and add more vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or zucchini to increase nutrients while maintaining volume.

→ Can I prepare components of this dish ahead of time?

Yes! Cook and slice the chicken up to a day ahead and store in the refrigerator. You can also pre-cook the pasta (slightly underdone), toss with a little olive oil, and refrigerate. When ready to serve, prepare the sauce and combine with the pre-made components, heating until everything is hot and well combined.

→ What side dishes pair well with Chicken Mozzarella Pasta?

This rich pasta pairs beautifully with light sides like a crisp green salad with vinaigrette, roasted asparagus, sautéed green beans, or garlic bread. For a complete Italian-inspired meal, serve with bruschetta or a Caprese salad as a starter.

→ Can I freeze leftovers of this dish?

While you can freeze leftovers for up to 2 months in an airtight container, cream-based pastas may separate slightly when thawed and reheated. For best results when reheating, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then warm gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk or cream to refresh the sauce.

→ How can I add more vegetables to this dish?

This dish is very adaptable to vegetables. Try adding sautéed mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, spinach, zucchini, or roasted red peppers. Add heartier vegetables like mushrooms when you're cooking the garlic, and more delicate vegetables like spinach just before combining with the pasta.