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White Sauce Chicken Pasta with Cheesy Noodles — prepared dish. AI-generated illustration.

White Sauce Chicken Pasta with Cheesy Noodles

White sauce chicken pasta combines cooked pasta and chicken with a sauce made from butter, flour and milk. A little Parmesan adds a savory finish. Cook the chicken separately, whisk the sauce until smooth, then combine everything gently so the pasta is coated rather than sitting in a thick paste.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 10 ounces dry penne or fettuccine
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into approximately 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine salt divided, plus more only after tasting
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Up to 1/2 cup reserved pasta cooking water only as needed
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley optional

Method
 

  1. Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to its package. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water before draining.
  2. Season the chicken with 1/4 teaspoon salt and the black pepper. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken in a single layer, turning as needed, until the thickest pieces reach 165°F (74°C). Begin checking after about 6 minutes; size and heat determine the actual time. Transfer the cooked chicken to a clean plate.
  3. Reduce the skillet heat to medium-low. Melt the butter and stir in the flour. Cook while stirring for approximately 1 minute, avoiding dark browning.
  4. Whisk in the milk gradually, starting with a small splash to make a smooth mixture. Add the remaining milk in stages, whisking between additions. Stir in the garlic powder and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.
  5. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer while stirring. Cook for approximately 3–5 minutes, until it lightly coats a spoon. Avoid a vigorous boil or leaving the pan unattended.
  6. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the Parmesan until incorporated. Add the cooked chicken and drained pasta. Toss gently, loosening with a little reserved water only if necessary.
  7. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Add parsley if using, then serve promptly. The sauce will thicken further as it stands.

Notes

Recipe development draft; quantities, yield and times have not been kitchen-tested by RecipeCrave. Times are estimates. Images are AI-generated illustrations.