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Cheesy Garlic Chicken with Twisted Pasta in Velveeta Cream Sauce

Cajun-seasoned chicken breast cubes and spiral twisted pasta tossed in a rich, homemade Velveeta cream sauce with garlic, mozzarella, and Parmesan. A hearty, crowd-pleasing one-skillet dinner ready in 40 minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Cajun
Calories: 680

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized cubes
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 12 oz twisted pasta gemelli, fusilli, or any spiral-shaped pasta
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 8 oz Velveeta cheese cubed
  • 4 oz cream cheese softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • fresh parsley or chives for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Large pot
  • Mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook twisted pasta until al dente, about 9 to 10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining. Set pasta aside.
  2. In a mixing bowl, toss chicken cubes with olive oil, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and smoked paprika until evenly coated.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook seasoned chicken for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Remove and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add minced garlic and saute for 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let it brown.
  5. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the roux is light golden and smells nutty.
  6. Slowly pour in whole milk while whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes over medium heat until slightly thickened.
  7. Reduce heat to low. Add Velveeta cubes and softened cream cheese. Stir until fully melted and sauce is smooth.
  8. Stir in shredded mozzarella and Parmesan until fully melted. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  9. Add cooked pasta and seared chicken back into the skillet. Toss to coat evenly. Add reserved pasta water a splash at a time if sauce is too thick.
  10. Serve hot garnished with fresh parsley or chives.

Notes

Always soften cream cheese to room temperature before adding to avoid lumps. Do not rinse cooked pasta. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Leftovers keep refrigerated for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat on stovetop over low heat with a splash of milk.