This cheesy chicken recipe is perfect if you’re looking to change up your weeknight meals. Tender chicken breast, bell peppers, penne pasta, cheese sauce, and topped off with shredded cheese makes this cheesy chicken a meal the whole family can enjoy.
Chicken Breast
I’m using boneless skinless chicken breasts for this cheesy chicken pasta recipe. If you would rather use chicken thighs instead of boneless skinless chicken breasts make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly as dark meat usually takes a bit longer to cook.
Bell Pepper
I am using red bell pepper for this recipe to add some color and texture to the pasta. You can get creative and add other peppers and veggies if you like.
Cheesy Sauce (using butter/flour roux)
I am making the cheese sauce from scratch using a roux. If you aren’t familiar with making a roux, it’s very simple. It is equal parts flour and fat such as butter. This is used to create thick sauces. I am using equal parts butter and flour to create the roux for the cheese sauce.
Chicken Broth
I am using chicken broth with the roux to create our sauce for this dish. The chicken broth will add more flavor and complement the chicken breast in this recipe. You could use another broth or low sodium chicken broth if you prefer or even milk but if you choose to use milk your sauce will be very heavy which is why I chose to use the broth.
Cheese
We can’t have cheesy chicken without cheese so for this recipe I chose to use reduced-fat Mexican cheese. You can use any of your favorite cheeses instead, just be sure to divide it between the sauce and the topping.
Pasta
I’m using penne pasta for this recipe but some other good options would be rotini or rigatoni pasta.
Seasoning
You will want to season your sauce and it’s always a good rule to taste your sauce before using it to make sure you have seasoned it to your liking. The seasoning for this is super simple using just salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
Cheesy Chicken Pasta
Servings
8
Prep Time
10 Minutes
Calories
365
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time 40 Minutes
*Please note that the nutritional information provided is an estimate only and may vary depending on the ingredients used. Calories listed are per serving.*
Ingredients:
- 1lb Chicken Breasts
- 1 Red Bell Pepper
- 2 TBSP Butter
- 2 TBSP Flour
- 2 Cups Chicken Broth
- 1 1/2 Cups Reduced-Fat Shredded Mexican Cheese (cheese of choice)
- 16 Ounces Penne Pasta
- 1/2 TBSP Garlic Powder
- Salt and black Pepper
*Disclosure, below are affiliate links to products we recommend. We do not include links to products we have not used or honestly recommend*
What Tools You Will Need:
You can find all of my recommended cooking tools in the kitchunlimited shop.
Directions:
Step 1
Begin by preparing your ingredients and preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Dice your bell pepper, and cut your chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 2
Boil water and begin cooking your pasta. When pasta is done drain and set aside until ready.
Step 3
Preheat the skillet to medium heat. Add chicken breasts and cook for 2 minutes, then add your bell pepper. Cook an additional 3-4 minutes or until the chicken is showing no signs of pink. Remove from heat and set aside.
Step 4
Make your sauce. Melt butter in a saucepan on low heat. Then add your flour to the melted butter whisking as you do so until combined and a paste is formed. Slowly stir half of your broth while whisking and turn the heat to medium-low. Allow Sauce to heat to a simmer and slowly whisk in the other half of the broth and return to a simmer. Add half of your cheese and stir until smooth. Add garlic powder and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 5
Step 6
Serve Hot and enjoy!
Notes:
- Always do your prep work before you start cooking. This makes the process go smoother when you’re cooking.
- Keep an eye on your pasta once it is in the oven. If it’s cooked for too long it will dry out.
What Cheeses Go Well With Chicken recipes?
My go-to for this particular dish is the reduced-fat Mexican cheese but there are so many cheeses that go well with chicken recipes and can easily fit in this recipe. Some good choices would be Cheddar Cheese, Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, Sharp Cheddar Cheese Mozzarella, Italian, Parmesan Cheese, or Pepper Jack if you are in the mood for a little spice.
If you are using mozzarella or Italian-style cheese for this dish. Consider using shredded parmesan cheese as your topping. Using shredded parmesan cheese as your topping cheese is such an easy way to add more flavor.
How do I know if the chicken is cooked?
Chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat when it reaches 165 Degrees Fahrenheit. Since we are cooking the chicken in a pan and then baking it you shouldn’t really have any worries here. However, if you are ever in doubt it’s always good to check using an instant read thermometer.
Leftovers
Save any remaining cheesy chicken pasta for a quick lunch or dinner later in the week. Use an airtight container or plastic wrap and reheat when you’re ready to enjoy more. I recommend using the oven or even an air fryer to reheat your pasta for the best results.
Cheesy Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 LB Chicken Breasts
- 1 Red Bell Pepper
- 2 TBSP Butter
- 2 TBSP Flour
- 2 Cups Chicken Broth
- 1 1/2 Cups Shredded Reduced-Fat Mexican Cheese
- 16 Ounces Penne Pasta
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
Instructions
- Begin by preparing your ingredients and preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Dice your bell pepper, and cut your chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces. Season with salt and pepper.
- Boil water and begin cooking your pasta. When pasta is done drain and set aside until ready.
- Preheat the skillet to medium-high heat. Add Chicken and cook for 2 minutes, then add your bell pepper. Cook an additional 3-4 minutes or until the chicken is showing no signs of pink. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Make your sauce. Melt butter in a saucepan on low heat. Then add your flour whisking as you do so until combined and a paste is formed. Slowly stir half of your broth while whisking and turn the heat to medium-low. Allow Sauce to heat to a simmer and slowly whisk in the other half of the broth and return to a simmer. Add half of your cheese and stir until smooth. Add garlic powder and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Lightly Grease your baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Add pasta, chicken mixture, and sauce to the baking dish. Mix well and the other half of your cheese evenly over the top. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
Summary
Welcome to the end of the post. I hope you enjoy this recipe and it becomes one of your favorites! Remember that recipes are more guidelines than anything else, feel free to add your own touches to this dish and enjoy! This is a great recipe if you are feeding a small group of people or want to have leftovers to avoid cooking during the week. There are more delicious recipes below if you’re looking for more inspiration and recipes for future meals. Let us know what your favorite dinner dish is below in the comments.
