Mozzarella Chicken Pasta (Print)

Succulent chicken and stringy mozzarella tossed with pasta in a buttery garlic sauce for a heartwarming, filling dinner.

# Ingredients:

→ Essentials

01 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
02 - 8 ounces penne pasta
03 - 1 teaspoon salt
04 - 2 bones-free, skin-free chicken breasts
05 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
06 - 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley
07 - 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
08 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
09 - 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
10 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
11 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
12 - 1 cup heavy cream
13 - 1 cup chicken broth

# Steps:

01 - Warm a large skillet on medium heat, then pour in olive oil.
02 - As the skillet warms, sprinkle both sides of the chicken breasts with the dried basil, salt, and pepper.
03 - Put the chicken in the skillet and cook for about 5-6 minutes on each side until golden and fully cooked.
04 - Move the cooked chicken to a cutting board and let it sit for several minutes before slicing.
05 - Cut the chicken into thin slices and leave it aside for now.
06 - In the same skillet, stir the garlic around for a minute until you can smell its aroma.
07 - Add chicken broth to the skillet, stir, and let it lightly bubble, scraping any stuck pieces from the skillet base.
08 - Stir in the heavy cream and let everything gently bubble for a couple of minutes until it starts to thicken.
09 - While the sauce is on the stove, cook the penne pasta in a big pot of salted water until it's tender, about 8-10 minutes or per package instructions.
10 - Strain the pasta, keeping about 1/2 cup of the water it cooked in, then set it aside.
11 - Turn the skillet to low heat and mix in the mozzarella and Parmesan, letting them melt into the sauce.
12 - Put the cooked penne into the skillet, tossing it in the sauce until it’s coated evenly.
13 - If the sauce feels too thick, pour a little of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
14 - Season the dish with red pepper flakes, more salt, and pepper if needed, and toss in the sliced chicken.
15 - Once it's all mixed together and warmed through, sprinkle with parsley and serve.

# Additional Notes:

01 - To check if the chicken is cooked, its inside temperature should read 165°F (75°C).
02 - If you like it creamier, pour in extra cream or even substitute with half-and-half.
03 - Maximize flavor by soaking the chicken in herbs, garlic, and oil for 30 minutes beforehand.
04 - Want more texture? Sprinkle toasted breadcrumbs or Parmesan cheese on top before serving.
05 - Crank up the heat by throwing in more red pepper flakes!

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