🍝 Chicken Mozzarella Pasta – Creamy, Cheesy Perfection!
If comfort food had a passport, this Chicken Mozzarella Pasta would be stamped straight from Italy! 🇮🇹 Tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and a rich, creamy mozzarella sauce come together for a dish that’s pure magic. One bite, and you’ll feel like you’re dining in a cozy little trattoria. Make this for dinner and watch it disappear! 🍽️✨
Ingredients
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb chicken tenderloins, sliced
- ¼ tsp each: salt, paprika
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 oz sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup half-and-half (or ½ cup cream + ½ cup milk)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tbsp dried basil
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- ¼ tsp salt (plus more to taste)
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
1️⃣ Cook the Pasta – Boil penne al dente according to package instructions. Before draining, reserve ½ cup pasta water.
2️⃣ Season & Sear the Chicken – Toss sliced chicken with salt and paprika. In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté garlic and sun-dried tomatoes for 1 minute until fragrant. Remove tomatoes and set aside. Sear chicken for 1–2 minutes per side on high heat, then set aside.
3️⃣ Make the Creamy Sauce – In the same skillet, simmer half-and-half (or cream/milk combo). Remove from heat and whisk in mozzarella until smooth and creamy.
4️⃣ Bring It All Together – Add basil, red pepper flakes, cooked pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, and chicken to the sauce. Toss to coat everything in creamy goodness. If needed, thin the sauce with reserved pasta water until silky.
5️⃣ Season & Serve – Adjust salt and spice, garnish with fresh basil, and serve immediately!
Notes
✨ Creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor—this is comfort food at its best! 🤌