Kid Quick Pasta with Chicken
Kid Quick Pasta with Chicken
Ingredients
For the Pasta and Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
For the Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
For Garnish (Optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta. While the water is heating, prepare the chicken.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
In a medium bowl, toss the cubed chicken with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
⏱️ 3 min
- 3
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
⏱️ 7 min
- 4
Once the water is boiling, add the rotini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 5
In the same skillet used for the chicken (do not clean), melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
Gradually whisk in the milk and chicken broth until smooth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Reduce heat to low. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and softened cream cheese until completely melted and smooth. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste, if needed.
⏱️ 3 min
- 8
Add the cooked pasta and cooked chicken to the cheese sauce. Stir gently to combine everything thoroughly, ensuring the pasta and chicken are well coated.
⏱️ 2 min
- 9
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Kid Quick Pasta with Chicken
For the Pasta and Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
For the Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
For Garnish (Optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta. While the water is heating, prepare the chicken.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
In a medium bowl, toss the cubed chicken with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
⏱️ 3 min - 3
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
⏱️ 7 min - 4
Once the water is boiling, add the rotini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 5
In the same skillet used for the chicken (do not clean), melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Gradually whisk in the milk and chicken broth until smooth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Reduce heat to low. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and softened cream cheese until completely melted and smooth. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste, if needed.
⏱️ 3 min - 8
Add the cooked pasta and cooked chicken to the cheese sauce. Stir gently to combine everything thoroughly, ensuring the pasta and chicken are well coated.
⏱️ 2 min - 9
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
⏱️ 1 min