Ingredients For The Pasta Sauce
All you need are simple ingredients to make this cream cheese sauce:
- Cream cheese – a block of full-fat or low-fat cream cheese or cream cheese spread. I used Philadelphia cream cheese.
- Fresh garlic cloves – toasting the garlic until just brown makes the sauce fragrant and flavorful. You can also use garlic powder but for this sauce, fresh is best.
- Butter – always makes any white sauce better.
- Whole milk – or skim milk
- Pasta water – or chicken broth. to loosen the thick consistency of the sauce without losing its creaminess.
- Parmesan Cheese – not only thickens the sauce but also adds a savory flavor.
- Onion Powder – or fresh chopped onion. I prefer the powder form to make the preparation easier i.e. less chopping.
- Fresh Parsley – you can also use Italian Seasoning, a pinch of chili flakes, or dried herbs like oregano, and basil.
Is It Easy Philadelphia Chicken Pasta
This recipe for Philadelphia chicken pasta is easy to prepare and cook with different ingredients.
The recipes in this book are delicious, simple to make, and can be prepared by anyone. The recipes are easy enough for even the youngest cooks to prepare.
You will find different that you can make at home without much fuss, and each recipe is simple and delicious and will keep you coming back for more.
How Do You Make The Pasta
- Start by boiling the pasta according to the instructions on the package. You want it to be al dente, so don’t overcook it or it will be mushy.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large pan, then add the butter.
- When the butter has melted, add the chicken breast and cook it for 5-6 minutes until slightly golden.
- Add the shallot and garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Next, add the smoked paprika, onion granules, dried oregano, ground black pepper and cayenne pepper and stir to combine.
- Stir in the tomato paste, then add the chicken stock and bring a boil.
- Lower the heat and stir in the cream cheese. Break it down with your spoon until it dissolves completely in the sauce.
- Transfer the pasta to the pan and stir to combine. Add a splash of pasta water if it looks too thick.
- Next, stir in the grated parmesan and fresh parsley.
- Divide the pasta into bowls and serve with extra parmesan on top if you like.
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What Is The Best Cheese To Use For Pasta
That depends on the texture and flavor youre trying to achieve.
- If you want to add a salty and creamy flavor, try parmesan, like in this Chicken Mushroom Pasta recipe.
- For a light flavor, try using ricotta, like in this Lemon Ricotta Pasta recipe.
- If you want the melted cheesy texture, try using freshly grated pizza mozzarella, like in this Creamy Rose Tomato Sauce Pasta recipe.
- Finally, if youre trying to make a sauce creamy without using cream, then cream cheese is the best option.
Which Pasta Should I Use
My favorite pasta to use for this recipe is spaghetti. It kind of reminds me of an easier and more affordable version of fettuccine Alfredo. I prefer long noodles with this sauce, so angel hair and linguine would both make great options, too. If you want to use a short pasta, Id recommend penne, elbow macaroni, or bow tie .
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Recipe Tips And Notes
- You can use one or two tablespoons of Cajun seasoning instead or your own spice mix for an even speedier dinner.
- If you have time, you can mix the chicken cubes with the spices and marinate for at least 30 minutes before starting dinner. This way, the chicken will be more flavourful.
- Make this creamy pasta a bit more decadent by adding some pancetta or bacon lardons with the chicken.
- If you want to make this recipe dairy-free, use another tablespoon of olive oil instead of butter and skip the cream cheese or replace it with a plant-based version.
If you liked this easy creamy chicken spicy chicken pasta, you might also like some of my other quick and easy pasta recipes.
How To Make The Best Cream Cheese Pasta Recipe
Below is the complete printable recipe card, along with some of the step-by-step photos! Scroll up for more in-depth instructional photos!
- 1largeShallot small dice
- 3-4ClovesGarlic thinly sliced
- 1 ½tspItalian Seasonings
- ¼tspCrushed Red Pepper Flakes or more to taste
- Kosher Salt & Ground Black Pepper to taste
- 1/3CupDry White Wine optional
- 3CupsReduced-Sodium Chicken Broth or Vegetable broth
- 12ouncesFettuccine
- 6ouncesBlock-Style Cream Cheese cut into small cubes
- ¼CupWhole Milk more or less, to taste
- 1Cupfreshly grated Parmesan Cheese plus more for garnish
- 3-4TBSFresh Flat-leaf Parsley plus more for garnish
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Wondering What You Need For This Heavenly Instant Pot Cheesy Chicken Pasta Dinner
Ingredients youll need for this Instant Pot chicken pasta:
If you dont happen to have cream of chicken soup at home or do not like to used canned condensed soup, you might want to try and make your own homemade soup with THIS recipe!
Need more Instant Pot Pasta Recipes?! Try our Instant Pot Cheesy Penne Pasta Recipe and our Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo Penne Pasta!
Salmon Cream Cheese Pasta
Add a few tender slices of grilled, pan-fried, or baked salmon to give your pasta dish a more elegant flair! Turn your homey cheese pasta into a restaurant-worthy dish by adding fresh spinach and serving it topped with baked salmon filets! All you need is your favorite red wine to enjoy a romantic dinner for two! Other seafood options are tuna, shrimp, and mussels.
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What Types Of Pasta Can I Use
I use penne pasta for this recipe. But you can use any type of pasta you like such as rotini, rigatoni, or farfalle. Even long noodles like spaghetti or linguine can work, but just know that they can clump together more easily when cooking. Gluten-free varieties are also another option too. However, do keep in mind that gluten-free pasta can have a different cooking time and result in a different texture than regular pasta.
Million Dollar Chicken Bake
The title says it all. This chicken bake is worth its weight in gold!
Cream cheese and mayo make for an ultra-creamy and rich sauce. The bacon, chives, and colby jack cheese are just the cherry on top!
Freeze and bake later, or bake and enjoy. Either way youll love every bite!
Enchiladas are easy to make and even easier to eat!
And these babies have an irresistible three cheese twist, making them the ultimate cheesy chicken dinner.
Your family will devour this dish in no time. So be sure you make enough!
Also Check: Healthy Vegan Gluten Free Recipes
Cheesy Chicken Spinach Bake
Even the pickiest of eaters will ask for a second serve with chicken like this. One bite and you may never eat spinach any other way.
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This keto-friendly chicken is mouthwatering and insanely easy to recreate.
Chicken thighs are baked in a bath of spinach and cream cheese, and loaded with mozzarella to boot.
Cheesy, warm, and easy? Whats not to love?
Tips For The Cream Cheese Spinach Chicken Pasta Recipe
This spinach chicken pasta is ideal for busy weeknights. The chicken melts in your mouth, and the spinach adds some freshness to a pasta dish thats otherwise fairly rich. We cook each ingredient separately to avoid excess water from spinach and losing taste. You can save time by cooking all ingredients together but keep in mind the cream cheese spinach chicken pasta could end up being soupy and tasteless.
- Dont skimp on chili pepper flakes, they add a great spicy touch to this pasta recipe and cut through the blandness of spinach.
- You can use any kind of pasta, but we favor pasta shapes that hold the sauce well such as farfalle, penne, rotini
- Either finely grate your own parmesan, or buy the finely shredded parmesan cheese at the grocery store. Do not use store-bought sandy or shaved parmesan that comes in plastic boxes, it will not melt properly in the sauce.
- Some readers said they like to add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard to all their creamy sauce, we didnt try yet with this chicken pasta recipe but we bet it can be delicious.
- Their should be no need to add salt to this recipe since pasta, cream cheese and chicken broth are already salted.
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Vegetables You Can Add
For vegetable options or a meatless meal, you can add the following ingredients:
- mushrooms – white button mushrooms, crimini mushrooms, or portobello mushrooms
Originally published May 2019. Updated on Nov 2022 with new photos and recipe video.
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Is Preparation Of Chicken Pasta With Philadelphia Garlic And Herb
This Phila Delphia garlic & herb cheese pasta recipe has some of the most delicious ingredients.
This recipe is a great way to use leftover ham or chicken from your Christmas dinner, but it works well with fresh meat. If you cook meat in the main preparation, add it to the pasta at the last stage and mix through.
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How To Make This Philadelphia Chicken Recipe
Start by seasoning both sides of the sliced chicken breast with salt and pepper. Then add half of the oil into a wide/ deep pan, increasing the heat to high. Add the chicken to the hot pan and fry each side for 3 minutes .
Set the chicken aside. Deglaze the sticky meaty bits on the bottom of the pan with a splash of water & add the remaining oil, along with the onion. Reduce the heat and fry the onions for around 5 minutes.
Then, add the garlic, zest of half a lemon, and tarragon. Fry for a couple of minutes. Reducing heat to low, add the cream cheese into the pan.
Slowly pour the chicken stock into the pan slowly whilst continuously stirring until combined. Stir the cornflour slurry into the pan. Place the seared chicken breast back into the pan and increase the heat to medium/low.
Cook for 10-15 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked. During this time add the spaghetti to heavily salted pasta water. Blanch the courgetti for the final one minute of cook time.
Serve the creamy Philadelphia chicken with a portion of spaghetti and courgettie. Top with fresh basil and black pepper, enjoy!
Cream Cheese Pasta Sauce Ingredients
- Cream Cheese I usually go for Philadelphia, but any full fat quality brand works great.
- Butter Adds a richness to the sauce. I usually go for unsalted butter, just so you can control the amount of salt better.
- Parmesan Freshly grated, not the sandy stuff!
- Garlic Where theres a cheesy sauce theres gotta be garlic. Its just the rules
- Ham Great because it doesnt need to be cooked . Can sub this out .
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Looking For More One Pan Recipes
- In a large saucepan over medium heat add 2 TBS olive oil.
- Add the onion and saute for a few minutes until transparent, stirring occasionally.
- Add the red pepper and saute for a minute or two, stirring 1 or 2 times.
- Add the minced garlic and saute until lightly golden.
- Add the chicken pieces and brown. Turning to brown on each side but don’t cook the chicken thoroughly .
- Add the chicken broth and then the penne noodles.
- Add all the spices and stir in.
- Bring to a boil and cook until penne is al dente . Stirring occasionally, put the lid on if necessary to not let it dry out.
- Once the penne is al dente, lower the temperature and then add the Greek yogurt and cream cheese. Stir until all is mixed in and it makes a creamy sauce.
- Finally add 1 cup of the Sargento Chef Blend shreeded 6 Cheese Italian, stir in and let melt.
- Serve warm sprinkling the remaining 1/4 cup of 6 Cheese Italian on top of your individual plates.
How To Make Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Step By Step Photos
Stir together the ingredients for the Cajun seasoning in a small bowl . Cut one pound boneless, skinless chicken breast into 1/2 to 3/4-inch cubes. Place the chicken cubes in a bowl, pour the Cajun seasoning over top, then stir to coat the chicken in the spices.
Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil and 1 Tbsp butter in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Once the skillet is very hot and the butter is melted and foamy, add the seasoned chicken pieces. Cook for a couple of minutes on each side, or just until they get some color. The chicken does not need to be cooked through at this point.
Add one diced yellow onion and continue to sauté for just a couple minutes more, or until the onion just begins to soften. The moisture from the onion should help dissolve any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
Add 1/2 lb. penne to the skillet along with one 15oz. can fire roasted diced tomatoes and 2 cups chicken broth.
Give everything a brief stir to make sure its all combined, then place a lid on top and allow the broth to come up to a boil. Once it reaches a boil, turn it down to medium-low, and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes.
Simmer until the pasta is tender and the broth has become thicker and more saucy in texture.
Add 2 oz. cream cheese to the skillet in small chunks. Stir until the cheese has melted into the sauce.
Top with sliced green onions and SERVE! This One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is going to be on regular rotation in my house. 🙂
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Dress Up Basic Cream Cheese Pasta
While this simple pasta dish with its creamy sauce is just perfect as is, its also an excellent base for a variety of ingredients which makes it ideal for using up odds and ends in the fridge. Dont you love a good versatile recipe?
Stay tuned for more Instant Pot pasta recipes, but in the meantime, here are some ideas for add-in ingredients to change up this easy peasy cheese pasta recipe!
Add The Pasta And Cook
To cook the penne, just add it along with the chicken broth to the pot and stir. Next, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and cook the penne for about 15 to 20 minutes or until the pasta is cooked to al dente. Yet, as the pasta cooks, you need to stir it occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot. When the pasta is done there should still be about 3 and a half cups of liquid in the pot. If there isnt, youll need to add more broth.
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Can You Freeze Crack Chicken Penne
Absolutely and it will last up to 2 months in the freezer. To freeze it, simply transfer it to a buttered 9×13 inch baking dish. Wrap it tightly with aluminum foil then plastic wrap. I like to make sure that it wont get freezer burn, so if you have a large heavy duty freezer bag use that instead.
To reheat, place the baking dish with the aluminum foil in the a preheat oven at 350°F, for about an hour.
Tips For Making The Best Cheese Pasta
- Room temperature cheese! I recommend removing the cream cheese from the refrigerator and cubing it before you start gathering and preparing the other ingredients! This will ensure that they melt and meld more seamlessly into the broth-y sauce.
- Large pot! If the pot you are using is too narrow, break the fettuccine noodles in half so that they will lay flat in the skillet. Submerge the noodles fully in the broth, so they cook evenly.
- Al dente pasta! Always check the package instructions when cooking the pasta. If you plan to use smaller pasta pieces, reduce the cooking time, so they do not turn mushy. Al dente is the goal here!
- Use milk to taste! The milk will thin out the cream cheese sauce. The amount needed will depend upon how thick and creamy you like your pasta sauce. Note that the pasta will thicken as it cools, so if it looks a bit on the runny side before you take it off the stove, that is fine.
- Adjust the heat! You can modify the amount of red pepper flakes to match your preference. If you want to make kid-friendly cheese pasta, you can just skip this ingredient altogether.
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One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
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Its been a while since Ive made a one-pot pasta! But this weekend I got a craving for a creamy, smoky, spicy, easy one pot dish, so I set to work! This One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is incredibly easy to make, so its perfect for weeknight dinners. I have a few variations for you below so be sure to read on! 🙂
Check out my One Pot Recipe archives for more one pot goodness!