Print

Chicken Mozzarella Pasta Recipe

Chicken Mozzarella Pasta Recipe
Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 19 reviews

A creamy and flavorful Chicken Mozzarella Pasta featuring tender chicken tenders, sun-dried tomatoes, and gooey mozzarella cheese simmered in a luscious half-and-half sauce, served over farfalle pasta with crispy bacon and a hint of basil and red pepper flakes for a perfect balance of savory and spicy.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 4 ounces sun-dried tomatoes in oil (drained with oil reserved)
  • small amount of olive oil (if necessary for cooking chicken)
  • 1 pound chicken tenders
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper (to season chicken)
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 cup half and half
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 8 ounces Farfalle pasta
  • 1 tablespoon basil (if using dry basil; if using fresh basil, you can add more)
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (at least, add more to taste)
  • 1/2 cup reserved cooked pasta water (or more)
  • salt (to taste finished dish before serving)
  • 6 slices cooked bacon (crumbled)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Oil: Drain the sun-dried tomatoes from the oil and reserve 2 tablespoons of the oil for sautéing.
  2. Chop Tomatoes: Chop the sun-dried tomatoes into smaller pieces to evenly distribute their flavor throughout the dish.
  3. Sauté Garlic and Tomatoes: In a large skillet over high heat, sauté the minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes in the 2 tablespoons of reserved oil for about a minute to release their aromas.
  4. Remove Tomatoes: Using a slotted spoon, remove the sun-dried tomatoes from the pan and set them aside.
  5. Season Chicken: Season both sides of the chicken tenders with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and evenly coat with the tablespoon of paprika for a smoky, flavorful crust.
  6. Cook Chicken: If necessary, add a small amount of olive oil to the skillet. Cook the chicken tenders over high heat for one minute on each side to sear them, then remove from heat and cut into bite-sized pieces.
  7. Cook Pasta: Prepare the farfalle pasta according to the manufacturer’s directions. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
  8. Combine Ingredients: Return the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and chicken pieces to the skillet. Pour in the half and half and add the shredded mozzarella cheese. Bring the mixture to a slow steady boil, then immediately reduce to a simmer, stirring constantly until the cheese melts and forms a creamy sauce.
  9. Add Pasta: Stir the cooked farfalle pasta into the skillet until thoroughly combined with the sauce.
  10. Season Sauce: Add the basil and crushed red pepper flakes, adjusting the amount of red pepper to your preferred level of spiciness.
  11. Adjust Sauce Consistency: Slowly add about 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water to the sauce to thin it out and make it creamier, adding more if necessary but avoiding a watery texture.
  12. Add Bacon: Mix in the crumbled cooked bacon to add a smoky, savory crunch to the dish.
  13. Final Seasoning: Taste and season the dish with salt as needed to enhance all flavors.
  14. Simmer: Let the skillet contents simmer gently for about 5 minutes to allow all flavors to meld together.
  15. Garnish and Serve: Garnish with additional basil leaves and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired, then serve hot.

Notes

  • Use fresh basil instead of dried for a more vibrant flavor and garnish some leaves on top of the finished dish for freshness.
  • The reserved pasta water contains starch which helps in binding and thinning the sauce, so add it gradually.
  • Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes based on your heat preference.
  • Cooking chicken at high heat for just a minute per side ensures it stays juicy but you can cook longer if fully cooking raw chicken tenders; ensure chicken reaches internal temp of 165°F (74°C).
  • Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil give excellent flavor; if using dry sun-dried tomatoes, rehydrate in hot water before use.
  • Bacon can be substituted with pancetta or omitted for a lighter dish.
  • For a richer sauce, cream can be used instead of half and half.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chicken pasta, creamy mozzarella pasta, sun-dried tomato pasta, farfalle recipe, easy chicken dinner

Find it online: https://zarameals.com/chicken-mozzarella-pasta-recipe/