Description
A family-favorite comfort dish made with grilled chicken, rotini pasta, and a rich, velvety cheese sauce that blends the gooey goodness of mozzarella with the smooth melt of Velveeta. It’s cozy, hearty, and perfect for a weeknight dinner or meal prep that everyone looks forward to.
Ingredients
2 large chicken breasts or 4 boneless chicken thighs
10 oz rotini pasta
1 ½ cups Velveeta cheese, cubed
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk or half-and-half
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
1. Season chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Let it marinate for 15–20 minutes.
2. Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken 6–8 minutes per side until fully cooked. Rest before slicing.
3. Boil rotini pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup pasta water.
4. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Sauté garlic until fragrant. Add flour and cook for 1–2 minutes, whisking constantly.
5. Slowly pour in milk while whisking until smooth.
6. Add Velveeta cubes and shredded mozzarella. Stir until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Combine cooked pasta with sauce. Add pasta water as needed to loosen.
8. Plate creamy pasta with sliced chicken on top or beside. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra mozzarella if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
Let the chicken rest before slicing to lock in juices.
Use half-and-half for a richer sauce, or whole milk for a lighter version.
Velveeta melts best when added gradually to a hot, smooth sauce base.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop + Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 685
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 840mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 44g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
Keywords: Chicken rotini, Velveeta pasta, garlic cheese sauce