Hello there, dear reader! Are you tired of the same old spaghetti and meatballs for dinner? Craving something a little more flavorful and exciting? Look no further than these 10 chicken pasta recipes that will make dinner a dream! Whether you’re cooking for your family or hosting a dinner party, these recipes are sure to impress.
From classic dishes like chicken alfredo to unique and unexpected combinations like chicken pesto and sun-dried tomato pasta, these recipes will satisfy your cravings for both chicken and pasta. They also range in difficulty level, so whether you’re a novice cook or have been in the kitchen for years, there’s something here for you. So, gather your ingredients and let’s get cooking!
Introduction: Enjoying a Comforting Bowl of Chicken Pasta
There’s something about a bowl of warm pasta that brings comfort, and if you add chicken to it, you get a filling and delicious meal. Whether you’re cooking for your family, hosting a dinner party, or just want to indulge in a hearty bowl of pasta, chicken pasta recipes are versatile and easy to make. Here, we’re sharing one of the most popular and loved chicken pasta dishes, the Classic Chicken Alfredo.
1. Classic Chicken Alfredo
Rich and Creamy Sauce
The Classic Chicken Alfredo recipe features a rich and velvety sauce made with butter, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese, making it a decadent and satisfying dish. This sauce is easy to make at home, and you can double or triple the recipe to feed a crowd.
First, melt some butter in a pan and whisk in heavy cream and grated parmesan cheese. Keep whisking the sauce until it thickens, then add salt and pepper to taste.
This creamy sauce is the star of the dish, and you can serve it with different types of pasta, including fettuccine noodles, which pair best with the Alfredo sauce.
Garlic and Herb Seasoning
The chicken in Classic Chicken Alfredo is seasoned with dried herbs and garlic. This seasoning adds a layer of flavor to the chicken and makes it more interesting. To season the chicken, you can mix dried oregano, basil, and thyme with garlic powder and salt. Coat the chicken breast pieces with the seasoning mix and cook them in a pan until they’re browned and juicy.
Fettuccine Pasta
Fettuccine is a type of pasta that’s popularly used in Alfredo sauce recipes. It’s long, thick, and has a flat shape, which makes it perfect for holding onto the creamy sauce. To cook the pasta, boil it in salted water, then drain it and toss it with the Alfredo sauce.
You can also add other ingredients to your chicken Alfredo recipe, such as broccoli, spinach, or mushrooms, to make it more nutritious and flavorful. These vegetables also go well with the creamy sauce and add a pop of color to the dish.
If you’re looking for an easy and delicious chicken pasta recipe that’s perfect for any occasion, give Classic Chicken Alfredo a try. With its creamy sauce, juicy chicken, and tender pasta, this dish is sure to become a family favorite.
2. Cajun Chicken Linguine
Spice up your pasta game with this Cajun Chicken Linguine recipe that will transport your taste buds to Louisiana. This recipe is perfect for anyone who loves the bold flavors of cayenne pepper, paprika, and lemon juice.
Spicy and Tangy Sauce
The key to creating an authentic Cajun flavor is in the sauce. Combine cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and lemon juice to make a delicious sauce that will marry all the ingredients together perfectly. The cayenne pepper will give your pasta dish a nice kick and a hint of smokiness while the paprika will add sweetness to the sauce. The lemon juice provides a tangy and fresh taste that complements the spicy and smoky flavors.
To make the sauce, heat olive oil in a saucepan and add the spices. Cook the spices for about a minute or until they become fragrant. Then add chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes. Once done, stir in cream cheese and cook until it has melted and the sauce is thick and creamy.
Colorful Bell Peppers
To add a pop of color and crunch to your Cajun Chicken Linguine, saute red, green, and yellow bell peppers with onions until tender and caramelized. The caramelized onions and bell peppers will give the dish a slightly sweet and smoky flavor that complements the spicy Cajun sauce well.
To cook the bell peppers, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook for about 5 minutes or until they become translucent. Add sliced bell peppers and cook until they are tender and caramelized.
Linguine Pasta
Finally, choose linguine pasta as the base for the Cajun sauce to help soak up all the fantastic flavors. Linguine pasta is a long, thin, and flat pasta that is perfect for this recipe. The pasta pairs well with the creamy, spicy, and tangy sauce and complements the tender and juicy chicken.
To cook the pasta, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook until it is al dente. Once done, drain the pasta and add it to the sauce. Toss well to coat the pasta with the sauce.
In conclusion, this Cajun Chicken Linguine recipe is a flavorful and satisfying meal that is perfect for any occasion. The combination of spicy and tangy sauce, caramelized onions and bell peppers, and tender chicken will leave you craving for more. So, give this recipe a try and enjoy the bold flavors of Louisiana in your own home.
3. Greek Chicken Orzo Salad
If you’re looking for a healthy and fresh way to enjoy chicken pasta, try making a Greek chicken orzo salad. Orzo, a small, rice-shaped pasta, forms the foundation of this dish, which also features grilled chicken, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and feta cheese. Not only is this salad delicious and satisfying, but it’s also packed with nutrients to keep you feeling great.
Mediterranean Flavors
One of the keys to making a great Greek chicken orzo salad is to incorporate Mediterranean flavors throughout the dish. This means using ingredients such as Kalamata olives, red onion, and a tangy lemon vinaigrette. These flavors work together to create a mouthwatering fusion of Greek flavors that will make this salad a hit with everyone who tries it.
Cold or Warm Salad
This salad can be enjoyed straight out of the fridge on a hot summer day, making it a refreshing and satisfying lunch option. However, it can also be served warm as a filling dinner. To warm the salad, simply heat it up on the stove or in the microwave until it reaches your desired temperature.
To serve the salad, start by cooking the orzo according to the package instructions. While the orzo is cooking, prepare the chicken by grilling it until it’s cooked through and tender. Once the orzo and chicken are cooked, combine them in a large bowl along with the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and feta cheese. Toss everything together with a generous drizzle of lemon vinaigrette and season with salt and pepper to taste.
If you’re looking for a healthy and flavorful way to enjoy chicken pasta, give this Greek chicken orzo salad a try. It’s a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a cold or warm salad, making it the perfect option for any occasion.
4. Mushroom and Chicken Pesto Pasta
Chicken pastas are a perfect blend of healthy and satisfying meals. They provide you with the necessary dose of protein without compromising on taste. One such recipe that you can try out is mushrooms and chicken pesto pasta. This recipe is a perfect amalgamation of flavors, making it a delicious and healthy option for lunch or dinner.
Umami-rich Mushrooms
Mushrooms form the base of this recipe and bring an umami-rich flavor to the dish. The sliced mushrooms are cooked in butter and combined with chicken breasts to add depth and complexity to the simple pesto sauce. Their meaty texture complements the chicken and provides an earthy flavor to the dish that’s hard to replicate with anything else.
Basil Pesto Sauce
The pesto sauce is the soul of this dish. It’s the perfect complement to the mushrooms, chicken, and pasta. You can easily make a fresh pesto sauce by blending together basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, and olive oil. The fragrant herbaceous flavor of the basil leaves combined with the sharpness of Parmesan will tantalize your taste buds. The sauce is best made fresh and can be prepared in no time.
Rotini Pasta
Now comes the pasta- the final piece to this delicious recipe. The rotini pasta is the perfect choice for this dish. Rotini has a helical shape that allows it to catch and hold onto all the savory mushroom and pesto sauce in its spirals. The pasta’s texture also provides a chewy bite when paired with the tender chicken and earthy mushrooms, giving you a wholesome meal experience.
Overall, the mushroom and chicken pesto pasta recipe is the perfect dish if you’re looking for something healthy and delicious. The mushrooms, chicken, and pesto sauce combine to create an explosion of flavors that’s sure to leave you feeling satisfied and full. The recipe is easy to make, and all the ingredients can be easily sourced.
5. Teriyaki Chicken Udon Noodles
If you’re looking for a dish that combines savory and sweet flavors, then teriyaki chicken udon noodles are the perfect meal for you. This Japanese-inspired dish is easy to prepare and doesn’t require too many ingredients. Here’s what you need to know to make this delicious meal.
Sweet and Savory Teriyaki Sauce
The key to this dish is the thick, sticky, and sweet teriyaki sauce. This sauce is made with soy sauce, brown sugar, grated ginger, and minced garlic. The combination of these ingredients creates a savory and sweet taste that complements the chicken and udon noodles. You can also add a little bit of honey to the sauce if you’d like it to be sweeter.
Start by cooking the chicken in a pan until both sides are brown. Then, add the teriyaki sauce to the pan and cook for a few minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken. If the sauce is too thick, add a little bit of water to thin it out.
Fresh Vegetables
To make this dish healthier and more nutritious, you can add fresh vegetables to the stir-fry. Broccoli, snow peas, carrots, and bell peppers are perfect for this dish. These vegetables add a crunch and vibrant color to the dish, and they also provide vitamins and minerals that make the meal more healthy.
Stir-fry the vegetables before adding the chicken, and then add the sauce. Cook the vegetables in the sauce for a few minutes to let the flavors meld together. Then, add the chicken and udon noodles to the pan and mix everything together until the sauce coats everything.
Udon Noodles
Udon noodles are thick and chewy Japanese wheat noodles that add a satisfying texture to the dish. They’re perfect for soaking up the flavors of the teriyaki sauce and for making the meal more filling. You can find Udon noodles at most Asian grocery stores, or you can order them online.
To cook the noodles, add them to a pot of boiling water for about 8-10 minutes until they’re tender. Drain the noodles and add them to the pan with the chicken and vegetables. Mix everything together well and let the noodles soak up the flavors of the sauce.
Teriyaki chicken udon noodles are a filling and delicious meal that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. The combination of the sweet and savory teriyaki sauce, fresh vegetables, and udon noodles create a satisfying and flavorful dish that’s sure to be a hit with your family.
Thank You and Come Back Soon!
Thank you for taking the time to read through our list of 10 Chicken Pasta Recipes That Will Make Dinner a Dream. We hope these recipes have inspired you to get creative in the kitchen and try something new for dinner tonight. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a beginner, these recipes are easy to follow and sure to be a hit with the whole family.
Make sure to bookmark our site and come back soon for more delicious recipes and cooking tips. We love sharing our passion for food with our readers, and we have plenty more recipe ideas up our sleeves that we can’t wait to share with you. Until then, happy cooking!
FAQ
1. Can I substitute chicken with another type of meat?
Absolutely! These recipes are versatile, and you can easily swap out chicken for beef, shrimp, or even tofu.
2. Are these recipes suitable for vegetarians or vegans?
Most of the recipes on this list contain chicken, but you can easily make them vegetarian or vegan by omitting the chicken and adding more vegetables or a plant-based protein source.
3. Can I make these recipes ahead of time?
Yes, most of these recipes can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge or freezer for later. Just be sure to reheat them thoroughly before serving.
4. Can I adjust the spice level in these recipes?
Absolutely! Feel free to adjust the amount of spice to your liking by adding more or less chili flakes, hot sauce, or other spicy ingredients.
5. Can I use dried pasta instead of fresh?
Yes, you can definitely use dried pasta in these recipes. Just be sure to cook it according to the package instructions before adding it to the dish.
6. What’s the best way to cook chicken for these recipes?
We recommend boiling or grilling the chicken first, then adding it to the pasta dish towards the end of cooking time to ensure it stays juicy and tender.
7. Can I use a different type of pasta than what’s listed in the recipe?
Absolutely! You can use any type of pasta you prefer, just keep in mind that cooking times may vary depending on the type of pasta.
8. Can I freeze these recipes?
Yes, most of these recipes can be frozen for later. Just be sure to cool the dish completely before freezing, and thaw it thoroughly before reheating.
9. Can I add more vegetables to these dishes?
Of course! These recipes are versatile, and you can easily add more vegetables or swap out the ones listed in the recipe for ones you prefer.
10. Are these recipes kid-friendly?
Yes! These recipes are great for kids, and you can adjust the spice level to their liking if needed. Plus, who doesn’t love chicken and pasta?