There’s something undeniably comforting about cozy, cheesy pasta, right? This Creamy White Cheddar Chicken Pasta Recipe brings that soul-satisfying, velvety sauce and tender chicken strips together in one bowl of yum that you’re going to want to make again and again. It’s a simple weeknight dinner winner!

The image shows a black pan filled with creamy macaroni pasta as the base layer, with small elbow-shaped noodles coated in a light, smooth sauce. On top, there is a layer of grilled sliced chicken with a golden-brown crust and some char marks, cut into long strips that lay side by side across the pasta. The chicken has a slightly crispy texture with small green herb pieces sprinkled over it for garnish. The pan rests on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy White Cheddar Chicken Pasta Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy White Cheddar Chicken Pasta Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamy White Cheddar Chicken Pasta Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I first made this recipe on a busy weeknight when I needed something quick but impressive — the creamy white cheddar sauce paired with juicy chicken felt like a restaurant meal, but it was all homemade without fuss. I knew right away this would become a staple.

Rich and Creamy Cheese Sauce: The white cheddar melts into a silky sauce that clings perfectly to every pasta bite.
Simple Ingredient List: You don’t need anything fancy, just pantry basics and a couple fresh ingredients.
Tender, Flavorful Chicken: The seasoning blend creates juicy chicken with just the right amount of spice and depth.
Comfort Food That Impresses: It’s a cozy, cheesy classic elevated enough for company but easy enough for any night.

A silver fork holds a close-up of three thick pieces of grilled chicken layer, golden brown with grill marks, and one creamy, off-white spiral pasta piece with sauce. In the background, a white dish is filled with more spiral pasta covered in the same creamy sauce and scattered pieces of grilled chicken with a slightly reddish seasoning, all on a white marbled surface. The lighting highlights the moist texture of the chicken and the smoothness of the pasta sauce, creating a rich, warm look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Creamy White Cheddar Chicken Pasta Recipe plays a part in building layers of flavor, texture, and comfort. Here’s what you’ll need and why these choices make the dish shine.

Flat lay of boneless, skinless chicken breasts seasoned with a mix of paprika and dry mustard, a small white ceramic bowl of kosher salt, a small white ceramic bowl of black pepper, a small white ceramic bowl of dry mustard, a small white ceramic bowl of paprika, a small white ceramic bowl of crushed red pepper flakes, a few sprigs of fresh parsley chopped, a small white ceramic bowl of extra virgin olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl of unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl of chopped garlic, a small white ceramic bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl of whole milk, a pile of shredded white cheddar cheese, a portion of cooked cavatappi noodles, two whole uncracked brown eggs placed apart for visual balance, all arranged symmetrically and naturally, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: They cook quickly and absorb the seasoning well, making them tender and juicy.
Kosher salt & black pepper: Basic but essential for balancing and enhancing every component.
Dry mustard and paprika: These bring warmth and subtle tang to the chicken – it’s all about that flavor depth!
Extra virgin olive oil: For a subtle fruity note and perfect searing fat.
Cavatappi noodles: Their spiral shape holds sauce beautifully, giving you cheesy goodness on every forkful.
Unsalted butter: Creates richness in the sauce without overpowering the cheese.
Garlic: Adds an aromatic punch that makes the sauce anything but boring.
All-purpose flour: The secret weapon for thickening the sauce to that luscious consistency.
Whole milk: The creamy base for the sauce that lets the cheese melt smoothly without breaking.
Red pepper flakes: Just enough heat to keep things interesting and cut through the richness.
White cheddar cheese: Sharp, creamy, and melty—it’s the star of the sauce and keeps every bite savory.
Fresh parsley: Brightens the dish with color and a touch of herbal freshness.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts about this Creamy White Cheddar Chicken Pasta Recipe is how adaptable it is. I love swapping out ingredients or adding extras depending on the season or what’s in the fridge.

Variation: Sometimes I add sautéed mushrooms or spinach right into the sauce for extra texture and a veggie boost—it’s delicious and colorful.
Dairy-free option: You can swap the milk and cheese for plant-based versions and use olive oil instead of butter, but the flavor won’t be quite the same cozy indulgence.
Make it spicy: If you love heat, I double the red pepper flakes and add a touch of cayenne. Just be careful not to overpower the cheddar.
Use different pasta: Shells or penne work well if you don’t have cavatappi on hand, just make sure to cook it al dente to avoid mushiness.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy White Cheddar Chicken Pasta Recipe

Step 1: Season and Sear the Chicken

First, mix kosher salt, black pepper, dry mustard, and paprika in a small bowl. Coat both sides of your chicken breasts evenly with this seasoning; it really builds a nice crust. Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat and add the chicken. Cook for about 5 minutes on one side—don’t move it too much or you won’t get that beautiful golden sear. Flip it, reduce the heat slightly, and cook another 5 minutes, or until the internal temperature hits 165°F. Once done, set the chicken aside and tent with foil to keep warm.

Step 2: Build the Creamy Cheese Sauce

In the same skillet (don’t wash it yet—we want all those browned bits!), melt the butter over medium heat. Add chopped garlic and sauté for about a minute until it’s fragrant but not browned. Stir in the flour; whisk constantly for another minute to cook out the raw flour taste. Slowly pour in whole milk while whisking vigorously to avoid lumps. Scrape the skillet bottom as you go to release delicious bits from the chicken. Toss in dry mustard, red pepper flakes, and kosher salt. Let the sauce simmer gently until it thickens, about 3-4 minutes. Now comes the magic: stir in shredded white cheddar cheese until fully melted into a smooth, dreamy sauce.

Step 3: Combine and Serve

Add your cooked al dente pasta directly to the cheese sauce, folding gently to coat every noodle. Slice the rested chicken into strips and arrange on top. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley, and if you’re feeling adventurous, a few extra red pepper flakes. Serve immediately, and get ready for those happy “mmm” moments around the table.

Top Tip

Over time, I realized the secret to a silky smooth sauce is patience with whisking and not rushing to add all the milk at once. This way you avoid lumps completely and ensure the sauce is luxuriously creamy.

Temperature Control: Keeping the heat moderate when adding milk prevents the sauce from scorching or separating.
Don’t Skimp on Cheese Quality: I always use sharp white cheddar—it melts better and gives more flavor depth than pre-shredded, low-quality cheese.
Save Those Pan Bits: Cook your sauce in the same pan as the chicken for added flavor from the browned seasoning bits.
Rest Your Chicken: Tent with foil after cooking to keep juices locked in and prevent dryness.

How to Serve Creamy White Cheddar Chicken Pasta Recipe

White Cheddar Chicken Pasta - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple — a sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness, and extra red pepper flakes give a subtle kick. Sometimes I toss in a touch of crispy bacon bits for a smoky finish that everyone loves.

Side Dishes

To balance the richness, a crisp green salad with vinaigrette or steamed broccoli is perfect. Garlic bread or warm crusty rolls are also fantastic for soaking up every last bit of that dreamy cheese sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I’ve served this in individual ramekins topped with extra shredded cheddar and broiled until bubbly and golden on top. It makes the dish feel extra special and festive!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce thickens as it cools, so you might want to add a little splash of milk when reheating.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this dish successfully a couple of times. Just cool completely, portion into freezer-safe containers, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stove over low heat with a splash of milk, stirring often to bring back that creamy sauce texture without drying out the chicken or pasta.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of cheese for this recipe?

Absolutely! While white cheddar is the star here, you can experiment with sharp yellow cheddar, gouda, or even a mix of cheeses for different flavors, but keep in mind that meltability and texture might vary.

What’s the best pasta to use in this Creamy White Cheddar Chicken Pasta Recipe?

Cavatappi is ideal because its spiral shape captures the creamy sauce perfectly, but other pasta like penne, shells, or rotini will also work well. Just be sure to cook the pasta al dente so it holds up in the sauce.

Can I prepare any part of this recipe ahead of time?

You can cook the pasta and chicken ahead of time, then store separately in the fridge. When ready to serve, reheat the sauce and combine everything for a quick final assembly.

How can I make this recipe spicier?

Adding more crushed red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce is my go-to method to add heat without overpowering the creamy cheddar flavor. Adjust gradually and taste as you go.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy White Cheddar Chicken Pasta Recipe is one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug—rich, comforting, and totally kid-friendly, but still sophisticated enough that guests won’t believe how easy it was to pull together. Trust me, once you try it, it’ll become your go-to comfort food you love making just as much as you love eating.