ONE-POT CREAMY CHICKEN PASTA | QUICK & EASY 30-MINUTE RECIPE | EASY COOKING TUTORIAL

heavy cream

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: milk + cornstarch

Greek yogurt reduces calories while maintaining creaminess

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast is lower in calories and adds a cheesy flavor

chicken breast

🥗Healthier: chicken thighs

💰Cheaper: canned chicken

Canned chicken is often less expensive and cooks quickly

Bring 5 quarts of water to a rolling boil.

Salt the boiling water.

Add 16 ounces of rigatoni pasta to the boiling water and cook for 9 to 11 minutes, reserving 0.5 to 1 cup of pasta water before draining.

Cut 1 pound of chicken breast into chunks and season with 1.5 teaspoons garlic powder, 0.5 teaspoon onion powder, 0.25 teaspoon dried oregano, 0.5 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon seasoned salt.

Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat and sear the seasoned chicken for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until cooked through.

Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.

In the same pan, add 1 small diced yellow onion and 1 cup of cherry tomatoes (if using).

Add 1 teaspoon of freshly minced garlic to the pan and season with a pinch of salt.

Pour in 1.5 cups of marinara sauce and 0.75 cup of heavy whipping cream, stirring to combine.

Reduce heat to a simmer and season the sauce with black pepper, 1 teaspoon of salt, 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper, and 0.5 teaspoon dried basil.

Add the cooked chicken and half of the rigatoni pasta to the sauce, mixing well.

If desired, add spinach and incorporate it into the mixture.

Warm the reserved pasta water in the microwave and add it to the sauce to thin it out as needed.

Plate the creamy chicken pasta and serve.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens