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One-Pot Smoky Chipotle Cheesy Chicken Pasta Recipe

One-Pot Smoky Chipotle Cheesy Chicken Pasta Recipe
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★★★★★

5 from 23 reviews

This One-Pot Smoky Chipotle Cheesy Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish combining tender pasta with smoky chipotle peppers, tender chicken, and melted cheddar cheese. Quick and easy to prepare, it’s perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something comforting without a lot of cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale

Proteins & Dairy

  • 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or diced)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Pasta & Liquids

  • 12 oz penne pasta (or other short pasta)
  • 3 cups chicken broth

Vegetables & Aromatics

  • 1 small onion, chopped (optional)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Spices & Sauces

  • 1–2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (finely chopped)
  • 1 tbsp adobo sauce (from the chipotle can)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Fats

  • 1 tbsp olive oil or butter

Instructions

  1. Sauté Aromatics: In a large pot or deep skillet, heat olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic; sauté until soft and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
  2. Add Chicken and Chipotle: Add cooked chicken along with the finely chopped chipotle peppers and adobo sauce. Stir well to coat the chicken evenly in smoky chipotle flavors.
  3. Add Liquids: Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine all ingredients thoroughly for a rich base.
  4. Add Pasta: Add the uncooked penne pasta directly to the pot. Stir, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cover with a lid.
  5. Cook Pasta: Let the pasta cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
  6. Incorporate Cheese: Reduce the heat to low, then add the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir continuously until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is creamy.
  7. Season: Taste the dish and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or additional adobo sauce to your liking.
  8. Rest Before Serving: Let the pasta sit off the heat for 2–3 minutes to thicken slightly and allow the flavors to meld before serving.

Notes

  • If you prefer a milder spice, reduce the number of chipotle peppers or omit the adobo sauce.
  • Use chicken thighs or breasts based on preference; leftover roasted chicken works great.
  • Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version, though the sauce will be less rich.
  • For a vegetarian option, replace chicken broth with vegetable broth and omit chicken, increasing cheese if desired.
  • Stir occasionally while cooking to prevent pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently with a splash of cream or broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot pasta, chipotle chicken pasta, cheesy chicken pasta, smoky pasta recipe, easy weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://liamjayne.com/one-pot-smoky-chipotle-cheesy-chicken-pasta-recipe/