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Cheesy Garlic Chicken with Twisted Pasta in Velveeta Cream Sauce

Cajun-spiced chicken and twisted pasta in a rich, creamy four-cheese garlic sauce ready in 40 minutes.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 610

Ingredients
  

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

Equipment

  • Large pot for pasta
  • large skillet
  • whisk
  • mixing bowl

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Cook twisted pasta until al dente, about 9-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
  2. In a mixing bowl, toss chicken cubes with olive oil, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and smoked paprika until well coated.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through to 165°F. Remove and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to brown.
  5. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a light roux, whisking continuously.
  6. Slowly pour in whole milk while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Simmer for 3-5 minutes until slightly thickened.
  7. Reduce heat to low. Add cubed Velveeta and softened cream cheese, stirring until both melt completely and sauce is smooth.
  8. Stir in shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan, mixing until fully melted. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  9. Add cooked pasta and seared chicken back into the skillet. Toss everything until well coated. Use reserved pasta water to adjust consistency if needed.
  10. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley or chives if desired.

Notes

Storage: Refrigerate in airtight container for up to 3 days. Add milk when reheating to restore creaminess. Freezer-friendly for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and reheat gently with added milk. Substitutions: Use ground turkey or Italian sausage instead of chicken cubes; half-and-half instead of whole milk for lighter version; all shredded cheese if Velveeta unavailable. Variations: Add spinach or roasted red peppers; adjust Cajun seasoning for spice preference. Pro tips: Cut chicken into uniform pieces for even cooking. Reserve pasta water for sauce adjustment. Let cream cheese come to room temperature. Add cheese over low heat to prevent graininess.