11 Pasta Recipes With Chicken Your Family Will Love Tonight

Q: What are the three most popular pasta dishes?

While it varies globally, three of the most famous and popular pasta dishes are Spaghetti Bolognese (or ragù), Lasagne, and Fettuccine Alfredo. These dishes have become international comfort food icons, celebrated for their rich flavors and satisfying textures, and are commonly found on restaurant menus worldwide.

Q: What food can I make with chicken and pasta?

You can make an incredible variety of dishes with chicken and pasta. Popular options include creamy dishes like Chicken Alfredo or Tuscan Chicken Pasta, tomato-based recipes like Chicken Parmesan Pasta, light and zesty meals like Chicken Scampi, one-pot dinners with orzo, and cold pasta salads perfect for picnics.

Are you staring into the fridge, wondering how to turn that package of chicken and box of pasta into something exciting for dinner again? It’s a familiar feeling. The daily challenge of coming up with meals that are both quick enough for a busy weeknight and delicious enough to please the whole family can leave you feeling uninspired and stuck in a dinner rut. You need options that are reliable, flavorful, and don’t require hours of prep or a mountain of dishes.

That’s where the magic of chicken pasta comes in. It’s the ultimate canvas for flavor, but it’s easy to fall back on the same one or two recipes. You’re looking for that perfect dish that feels like a treat but comes together in a flash—something comforting, something fresh, or maybe something with a little kick of spice. You need a list of proven winners you can turn to any night of the week.

From creamy Cajun chicken pasta to a zesty one-pot lemon orzo, this list features 11 of the best pasta recipes with chicken for a quick and satisfying dinner. As a busy home cook myself, I’ve tested countless recipes to find the ones that truly deliver on flavor without spending hours in the kitchen. This list is my go-to, updated for 2025, featuring easy, 30-minute meals your whole family will love tonight.

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Tired of the Same Old Dinner? Find Your New Favorite Chicken Pasta Recipe Tonight

The “what’s for dinner?” dilemma is real. You want something comforting and satisfying, but your schedule demands meals that are quick and easy. This curated collection of 11 foolproof, family-approved chicken pasta recipes is your answer. We’ve gathered everything from creamy and comforting classics to zesty one-pot wonders, ensuring there’s a perfect option for every taste and timetable. Say goodbye to boring dinners and hello to your new weeknight hero.

11 Irresistible Pasta Recipes With Chicken to Make on Repeat

Get ready to transform your dinner routine. This collection is carefully curated based on top-rated classics and viral modern twists, ensuring every recipe is a proven winner. Each one includes clear, simple instructions and pro-tips to guarantee a delicious result, whether you’re a beginner cook or a seasoned pro. From rich and decadent to light and fresh, your new favorite meal is just a scroll away.

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Its World Pasta Day🍝, so here’s a Simple and Delicious Creamy Pasta Dish to try!! #worldpastaday #creamypasta #dinnerideas #quickmeals #veescooking #tastyfood #foodie #tiktokfood
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1. Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

For a quick and spicy pasta dish, Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a 30-minute meal featuring juicy chicken and bell peppers in a rich, bold cream sauce.

Ingredients: Chicken breasts, penne pasta, Cajun seasoning, olive oil, onion, bell peppers, garlic, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, chicken broth.
Instructions:
1. Season and cook chicken chunks in a skillet until golden brown; set aside.
2. Sauté onions, peppers, and garlic in the same skillet.
3. Deglaze with chicken broth, then stir in heavy cream and Cajun seasoning. Simmer to thicken.
4. Stir in Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth.
5. Add the cooked pasta and chicken back to the skillet, tossing to coat.

Pro-Tip: For a deeper flavor, use a mix of smoked paprika and cayenne in your Cajun seasoning. You can also add andouille sausage for an even more authentic taste.

Pin this spicy weeknight dinner for later!

2. Classic Chicken Alfredo

To make a restaurant-quality meal at home, Classic Chicken Alfredo combines tender sliced chicken and fettuccine in a simple, from-scratch sauce made with butter, heavy cream, garlic, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Ingredients: Fettuccine, chicken breasts, butter, heavy cream, garlic, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, parsley.
Instructions:
1. Cook fettuccine according to package directions.
2. Season and cook chicken breasts, then slice and set aside.
3. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
4. Slowly whisk in heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Cook for 3-5 minutes until it starts to thicken.
5. Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Toss the sauce with the hot pasta and top with sliced chicken and fresh parsley.

Pro-Tip: The key to a silky, non-greasy Alfredo sauce is using freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.

Save this classic comfort food recipe to your dinner board!

3. Pesto Pasta with Chicken

A fresh and healthy choice is Pesto Pasta with Chicken, a vibrant dish that quickly comes together by tossing pasta with pesto, cooked chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and cherry tomatoes.

Ingredients: Pasta (rotini, fusilli, or penne), cooked chicken (cubed or shredded), prepared pesto, sun-dried tomatoes in oil, pine nuts, cherry tomatoes, Parmesan cheese.
Instructions:
1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
2. In a large bowl, combine the hot pasta with pesto, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to create a creamy sauce that coats the pasta.
3. Stir in the cooked chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and halved cherry tomatoes.
4. Top with toasted pine nuts and freshly grated Parmesan cheese before serving.

Pro-Tip: For an extra layer of flavor and texture, sauté the sun-dried tomatoes and cherry tomatoes with a little garlic for 2-3 minutes before tossing them with the pasta.

Love fresh flavors? Pin this Pesto Pasta recipe now!

4. Chicken Scampi Pasta

For a light and zesty meal, Chicken Scampi Pasta features thin chicken cutlets and angel hair pasta tossed in a bright sauce of white wine, lemon juice, butter, and garlic.

Ingredients: Angel hair pasta, thin chicken cutlets, flour, butter, olive oil, garlic, dry white wine (or chicken broth), lemon juice, red pepper flakes, fresh parsley.
Instructions:
1. Lightly dredge chicken cutlets in flour and pan-sear in butter and oil until golden; set aside.
2. In the same pan, sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds.
3. Deglaze the pan with white wine and lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits.
4. Stir in the remaining butter, red pepper flakes, and parsley to create the sauce.
5. Add the cooked angel hair pasta and chicken to the pan, tossing to coat everything in the bright, garlicky sauce.

Pro-Tip: Don’t overcook the angel hair pasta; it cooks in just 2-3 minutes. Pull it when it’s very al dente, as it will finish cooking when you toss it in the hot scampi sauce.

Add a touch of elegance to your weeknight. Pin this recipe!

5. Easy Chicken Parmesan Pasta

To get classic flavors in an easy format, Chicken Parmesan Pasta combines crispy breaded chicken with marinara and melted mozzarella, served over pasta for a deconstructed, one-skillet meal.

Ingredients: Spaghetti or penne, thin chicken cutlets, breadcrumbs, egg, flour, marinara sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, olive oil.
Instructions:
1. Cook pasta separately.
2. Bread the chicken cutlets and pan-fry in olive oil until golden and cooked through.
3. Remove chicken. In the same skillet, warm the marinara sauce.
4. Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning some sauce over each piece.
5. Top with a generous layer of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Broil for 2-3 minutes or cover the skillet until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Serve the cheesy chicken over a bed of the cooked pasta.

Pro-Tip: For extra crispy chicken, use Panko breadcrumbs and toast them in a dry pan for a few minutes before breading the chicken. It makes a huge difference!

Get all the comfort without the fuss! Pin this skillet recipe.

6. One-Pot Lemon Chicken & Orzo

For a complete meal with minimal cleanup, One-Pot Lemon Chicken & Orzo is an elegant dish where chicken, orzo, spinach, and feta all cook together in a single pot with a bright lemon flavor.

Ingredients: Chicken breast or thighs, olive oil, onion, garlic, orzo, chicken broth, lemon (zest and juice), fresh spinach, crumbled feta cheese, fresh dill or parsley.
Instructions:
1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the chicken pieces and set aside.
2. Sauté onion and garlic in the same pot.
3. Add the orzo and toast for one minute. Stir in chicken broth and lemon zest, bringing to a boil.
4. Reduce heat to a simmer, return the chicken to the pot, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until orzo is tender and liquid is mostly absorbed.
5. Turn off the heat. Stir in the lemon juice, fresh spinach (it will wilt), and half of the feta cheese.
6. Serve topped with the remaining feta and fresh dill.

Lesson Learned: Don’t skip toasting the orzo in the pot for a minute before adding the liquid. It gives the pasta a nutty flavor and helps it maintain a better texture.

Your new favorite one-pot meal is here! Save it now.

7. Creamy Chicken Tetrazzini

For a hearty, comforting pasta bake, Creamy Chicken Tetrazzini is a perfect casserole for using leftover rotisserie chicken, combining it with linguine, mushrooms, and peas in a rich béchamel sauce.

Ingredients: Linguine, cooked shredded chicken, butter, mushrooms, onion, flour, milk, chicken broth, sherry (optional), peas, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs.
Instructions:
1. Cook pasta al dente.
2. In a large pot, sauté mushrooms and onions in butter. Stir in flour to make a roux.
3. Gradually whisk in milk and chicken broth until a smooth béchamel sauce forms. Add sherry if using.
4. Stir in Parmesan cheese, cooked pasta, shredded chicken, and peas.
5. Pour the mixture into a baking dish. Top with a mixture of breadcrumbs and more Parmesan.
6. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, until bubbly and golden on top.

Pro-Tip: Using a combination of mushrooms like cremini and shiitake adds a much deeper, earthier flavor to the dish than using white button mushrooms alone.

Pin the ultimate comfort food casserole for a cozy night in.

8. Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

For a rich, restaurant-quality dish, Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta features pan-seared chicken in a decadent cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, garlic, and Parmesan cheese.

Ingredients: Chicken breasts, olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, chicken broth, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, fresh spinach, Italian seasoning, penne pasta.
Instructions:
1. Season and cook chicken in a skillet; remove and set aside.
2. In the same skillet, sauté garlic and sun-dried tomatoes.
3. Pour in chicken broth to deglaze, then stir in heavy cream, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning.
4. Simmer until the sauce thickens. Add spinach and cook until wilted.
5. Slice the chicken and return it to the skillet along with cooked pasta. Toss to combine.

Lesson Learned: Use the oil from the sun-dried tomato jar to sauté the garlic. It’s packed with flavor and adds an incredible depth to the sauce that you won’t get from plain olive oil.

Ready to fall in love with dinner? Pin this Tuscan Chicken Pasta recipe!

9. Chicken and Broccoli Pasta

For a simple and balanced meal, Chicken and Broccoli Pasta is a classic weeknight staple that combines cubed chicken, bright green broccoli florets, and penne in a light garlic and Parmesan sauce.

Ingredients: Penne pasta, broccoli florets, chicken breast, olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, dry white wine (or chicken broth), Parmesan cheese.
Instructions:
1. Cook penne. In the last 3 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets to the pasta water to blanch them. Drain together.
2. While pasta cooks, sauté cubed chicken in olive oil until cooked through.
3. Add garlic and red pepper flakes to the chicken and cook for another minute until fragrant.
4. Pour in white wine or broth to deglaze the pan.
5. Add the cooked pasta and broccoli to the skillet, along with a generous amount of Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together until well combined.

Pro-Tip: For perfectly cooked broccoli that’s tender but still has a slight bite, blanching it with the pasta is the easiest method. It saves a pot and times it perfectly.

Pin this simple and satisfying weeknight staple!

10. Easy Chicken Carbonara

To make an authentic-style creamy pasta, Chicken Carbonara uses egg yolks and Parmesan cheese—not cream—to create a silky sauce that coats spaghetti, crispy bacon, and diced chicken.

Ingredients: Spaghetti, pancetta or bacon, cooked chicken, eggs, Parmesan cheese, garlic, black pepper, reserved pasta water.
Instructions:
1. Cook spaghetti. While it cooks, fry pancetta/bacon until crisp. Add cooked chicken to warm through.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together egg yolks, grated Parmesan, and lots of freshly cracked black pepper.
3. Drain the pasta, reserving at least 1 cup of the starchy water.
4. Working quickly off the heat, add the hot pasta to the skillet with the pancetta and chicken.
5. Pour the egg and cheese mixture over the hot pasta, adding a splash of the reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously until a creamy, glossy sauce forms. Do not return to the heat or the eggs will scramble.

Lesson Learned: The single most important step is to combine the egg mixture with the pasta off the heat. The residual heat of the pasta and skillet is all you need to cook the egg yolks into a safe, creamy sauce.

Master this classic Italian-American dish. Pin the recipe!

11. Versatile Chicken Pasta Salad

For a perfect make-ahead option, this Chicken Pasta Salad combines shredded chicken, rotini pasta, crunchy celery, and sweet grapes in a creamy dressing, ideal for lunches and potlucks.

Ingredients: Rotini or bow tie pasta, cooked shredded chicken, celery, red onion, red grapes, mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), lemon juice, fresh dill, salt, pepper.
Instructions:
1. Cook pasta until al dente, rinse with cold water, and drain well.
2. In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, shredded chicken, chopped celery, diced red onion, and halved grapes.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, fresh dill, salt, and pepper to create the dressing.
4. Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
5. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

Pro-Tip: For the best flavor, make the pasta salad a few hours ahead of time, but hold back about a quarter of the dressing. Just before serving, stir in the remaining dressing to freshen it up and make it perfectly creamy again.

The perfect potluck dish! Save this pasta salad idea.

Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to pasta recipes with chicken

Feeling inspired but not sure where to start? Here’s a quick rundown to help you choose the perfect recipe for tonight.

For the Quickest Meal (Under 30 Mins): Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta or Chicken Scampi Pasta.
For Ultimate Comfort: Classic Chicken Alfredo or Creamy Chicken Tetrazzini.
For the Easiest Cleanup: One-Pot Lemon Chicken & Orzo.
For a Fresh & Healthy Option: Pesto Pasta with Chicken or Chicken and Broccoli Pasta.
For a Make-Ahead Option: Versatile Chicken Pasta Salad.

Final Thoughts

With these versatile and delicious chicken pasta recipes, a satisfying, home-cooked meal is always within reach. There’s no need to stay in a dinner rut when so many incredible flavors are just one pot, pan, or skillet away. Whether you’re craving creamy comfort, zesty freshness, or a spicy kick, there’s a recipe here waiting to become your new family favorite.

Which one of these recipes are you most excited to try first? Let me know in the comments below

11 Pasta Recipes With Chicken Your Family Will Love Tonight

Tired of the Same Old Dinner? Find Your New Favorite Chicken Pasta Recipe Tonight