Description
A quick and comforting leftover chicken dinner recipe featuring creamy garlic cheese sauce tossed with rotini pasta and tender cooked chicken. Perfect for an easy weeknight meal ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken
- 8 oz rotini pasta
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook until just al dente, about 7-9 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to brown the garlic.
- Make Roux: Stir in the all-purpose flour to the butter and garlic mixture, whisking constantly to create a smooth roux. Cook for 1-2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
- Add Liquids: Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and milk, stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Continue cooking the sauce over medium heat until it thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
- Incorporate Cheese and Chicken: Stir in the cooked chicken, grated Parmesan, and shredded mozzarella cheese. Mix thoroughly until the cheeses are melted and the sauce is creamy and smooth.
- Toss Pasta: Add the drained cooked pasta into the skillet. Toss everything together to ensure the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
- Season and Serve: Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Optionally, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top for garnish before serving.
Notes
- Use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken for convenience and flavor.
- For a richer sauce, substitute whole milk with half-and-half or heavy cream.
- Fresh parsley adds color and freshness but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to your taste, especially if the chicken broth is already seasoned.
- This dish can be paired with steamed vegetables or a green salad for a balanced meal.
