Description
Looking for a comforting, creamy, and flavor-packed meal that hits all the right notes? This **Creamy Velveeta Chicken Rotini Pasta with Mozzarella Garlic Cheese Sauce** is a perfect choice. Tender, seasoned chicken is pan-seared to golden perfection and paired with spiraled rotini pasta, all wrapped in a luxurious garlic-infused Velveeta and mozzarella cheese sauce. It’s a delicious option for easy dinners, comfort food cravings, or even satisfying lunch prep. Whether you’re searching for **easy dinner ideas**, **quick pasta recipes**, or **cheesy comfort food**, this dish will check all the boxes and become a regular on your menu.
Ingredients
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1 ½ tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
12 oz rotini pasta
Salted water
2 tbsp unsalted butter
4 garlic cloves minced
¾ cup whole milk
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup cubed Velveeta cheese
¼ cup heavy cream (optional)
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 tsp dried basil or parsley
Instructions
1. In a bowl, season chicken cubes with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Mix well and let sit for 10–15 minutes.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high. Sear chicken pieces until golden and cooked through, about 3–4 minutes per side. Set aside.
3. Boil rotini in salted water according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
5. Add milk and heavy cream to the pan. Stir in mozzarella and Velveeta cheese. Whisk continuously until smooth.
6. Add reserved pasta water to loosen sauce if needed. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Stir in drained rotini pasta and mix until evenly coated.
8. Plate pasta and top with seared chicken. Garnish with dried basil or parsley before serving.
Notes
Use freshly shredded mozzarella for a smoother, silkier sauce.
Don’t skip resting time for the chicken after seasoning — it boosts flavor.
Always stir cheese into gently heated liquid to prevent clumping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 740
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1020mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: <0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 53g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
Keywords: creamy pasta, chicken dinner, cheese sauce pasta, quick pasta, comfort food