Chef Antonio Romano - Italian Cuisine Master
👨‍🍳 Italian Cuisine Chef

Recipe by Mitchell

🎓 Culinary Arts Graduate ⏰ 18+ Years Experience 🍽️ Italian Cooking Specialist

❤️ My Recipe Story

"This recipe combines the best of Italian pasta traditions with American comfort food sensibilities. It's the dish I turn to when I want to create something that feels like a warm hug on a plate - rich, satisfying, and absolutely irresistible."

Antonio specializes in Italian and Italian-American cuisine, bringing traditional techniques to modern comfort food. He's passionate about creating dishes that bring families together around the dinner table.

View All Mitchell's Recipes →
Creamy golden chicken and cheese pasta in a large skillet, with tender chicken pieces and melted cheese coating every piece of pasta, garnished with fresh parsley

Building the Perfect Creamy Base

The secret to an exceptional creamy cheese sauce lies in proper roux technique and gradual cheese incorporation. Starting with a butter and flour base ensures the sauce won't break or become grainy, while slowly whisking in the liquids creates a silky smooth foundation.

The combination of chicken broth and heavy cream provides both depth of flavor and luxurious richness. The addition of sour cream at the end adds tanginess that balances the rich cheese flavors and prevents the sauce from becoming too heavy.

💡 Professional Tip

Remove the pan from heat before adding cheese to prevent it from seizing. Stir in cheese gradually and add a splash of pasta water if the sauce becomes too thick. This creates the perfect coating consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Penne, rigatoni, fusilli, or shells work best as their shapes hold the creamy sauce well. Avoid thin pasta like angel hair as it won't support the rich sauce properly.

The sauce can be made 1 day ahead and refrigerated. Reheat gently, adding milk or cream to restore consistency. Cook pasta fresh and combine just before serving for best texture.

Use freshly shredded cheese when possible, remove pan from heat before adding cheese, and stir constantly. Room temperature cheese melts more smoothly than cold cheese.

Half-and-half works but will be less rich. Avoid milk as it may curdle. For lighter version, use part Greek yogurt stirred in at the end, off heat.

Don't overcook the chicken - it continues cooking when added back to the hot sauce. Cut pieces uniformly for even cooking and let meat rest briefly before cutting.

Absolutely! Broccoli, spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers work wonderfully. Add heartier vegetables with the onions, and delicate greens at the very end.

The combination of sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan provides great flavor and melting properties. Gruyère, fontina, or cream cheese can also be substituted.

Store in refrigerator up to 3 days. Reheat gently on stovetop with a splash of milk or cream to restore creaminess. Avoid microwaving at full power as it can break the sauce.

Recipe Troubleshooting Guide

✅

Broken Sauce

Problem: Cheese sauce becomes grainy or separated

Solution: Remove from heat immediately and whisk in cold milk gradually. Next time, use lower heat and add cheese off heat. Fresh cheese melts better than pre-shredded.

✅

Too Thick

Problem: Sauce is too thick and clumpy

Solution: Gradually whisk in reserved pasta water, warm milk, or cream until desired consistency is reached. The starch in pasta water helps bind the sauce smoothly.

✅

Bland Flavor

Problem: Dish lacks depth and flavor

Prevention: Season pasta water generously with salt, increase garlic, add more Parmesan, or finish with fresh herbs. Taste and adjust seasoning throughout cooking.

✅

Dry Pasta

Problem: Pasta absorbs all the sauce and becomes dry

Recovery: Reserve more pasta water and add gradually. Serve immediately after combining. Slightly undercook pasta as it continues cooking in the sauce.

✅

Overcooked Chicken

Problem: Chicken pieces are tough and dry

Prevention: Cook chicken just until done (165°F internal temp), cut pieces smaller for faster cooking, and don't let it sit in hot sauce too long before serving.

✅

Flavor Balance Issues

Too Sweet: Add more black pepper, garlic, or a splash of white wine

Too Salty: Add cream, sour cream, or serve with fresh bread

Bland: Increase garlic, add Italian seasoning, or finish with fresh herbs and lemon zest

Ingredients for chicken creamy cheesy pasta including raw chicken, pasta, multiple cheeses, cream, and herbs arranged on a wooden cutting board

Selecting Quality Ingredients

Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for this recipe. Thighs remain more tender and flavorful, while breasts provide a leaner option. Either way, cutting the meat into uniform pieces ensures even cooking and better distribution throughout the pasta.

The cheese selection makes or breaks this dish. Sharp cheddar provides bold flavor, mozzarella adds stretch and creaminess, while Parmesan contributes nutty depth. Using a combination creates complexity that single cheese can't achieve.

Essential Ingredient Notes

  • Chicken Selection: Boneless thighs stay more tender than breasts and have better flavor. If using breasts, don't overcook them. Cut against the grain for maximum tenderness.
  • Cheese Quality: Freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly than pre-packaged. Block cheese may cost more but provides superior texture and flavor in cream sauces.
  • Pasta Choice: Choose pasta shapes with ridges or tubes that hold sauce well. Penne, rigatoni, or shells are ideal. Cook just until al dente as it continues cooking in the sauce.
Chicken pieces being sautéed in a large skillet until golden brown, showing the proper technique for achieving perfect color and texture

Mastering the Cooking Process

Success with this dish depends on proper timing and temperature control. The chicken must be perfectly cooked but not overdone, while the sauce requires gentle heat to prevent the dairy from breaking or the cheese from seizing.

The final combination stage is crucial - the hot pasta helps meld all flavors together while the reserved pasta water provides the perfect consistency adjustment. Everything comes together in those final moments of tossing and stirring.

Perfect Sauce Consistency

The sauce should coat the pasta without being thick or gluey. It should move freely in the pan but cling to each piece of pasta. Pasta water is your best friend for adjustments.

Chicken Creamy and Cheesy Pasta

Prep 15 min
Cook 25 min
Serves 6 servings
Level Intermediate

📋 Ingredients

For the Chicken and Pasta

  • 60g butter
    Creates rich roux base
  • 60ml all-purpose flour
    Thickens the sauce
  • 480ml chicken broth
    Adds savory depth
  • 360ml heavy cream
    Creates luxurious richness
  • 225g sharp cheddar, shredded
    Primary cheese for bold flavor
  • 115g mozzarella, shredded
    Adds creamy stretch
  • 240ml sour cream
    Balances richness with tang

For the Creamy Cheese Sauce

  • 450g penne pasta
    Perfect shape for holding sauce
  • 900g chicken breasts, diced
    Lean protein cut bite-sized
  • 60ml olive oil
    For cooking chicken perfectly
  • 1 large onion, diced
    Adds sweetness and depth
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
    Essential aromatic base
  • 60g Parmesan, grated
    Adds nutty umami depth
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
    Classic herb blend

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta

    Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining. Set pasta aside.

  2. Season and Cook Chicken

    Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove and set aside.

  3. Make Base Sauce

    In the same skillet, add remaining oil and butter. Sauté onion until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Sprinkle flour over mixture and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes.

  4. Create Creamy Sauce

    Gradually whisk in chicken broth, then heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream until smooth.

  5. Add Cheese and Combine

    Add cheeses gradually, stirring until melted and smooth. Return chicken to pan, add pasta and broccoli if using. Toss gently, adding pasta water if needed for consistency. Garnish with parsley and green onions before serving.

Recipe Notes & Tips

Storage

Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of cream or milk to restore consistency. Avoid high heat which can break the sauce.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with garlic bread, Caesar salad, or steamed vegetables. A crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc pairs beautifully with the rich, creamy flavors.

Variations

Add sun-dried tomatoes for tang, mushrooms for earthiness, or spinach for color and nutrition. You can also substitute different cheeses like Gruyère or fontina for flavor variations.