Chicken Mozzarella Pasta (Printable Version)

Tender chicken and mozzarella blend in a creamy tomato pasta sauce for a warm, satisfying dish.

# Ingredients Required:

→ Pasta and poultry

01 - 300 g penne or preferred pasta
02 - 300 g chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces

→ Sauce and seasoning

03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
06 - 400 g canned crushed tomatoes
07 - 120 ml heavy cream
08 - Salt, to taste
09 - Black pepper, to taste

→ Cheese

10 - 100 g shredded mozzarella cheese
11 - 50 g grated Parmesan cheese

→ Garnish

12 - Fresh basil leaves
13 - Red pepper flakes (optional)

# Guide to Cooking:

01 - Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Cook chicken until golden and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic until fragrant, approximately 1 minute.
04 - Add crushed tomatoes to the skillet and bring to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes to develop flavors.
05 - Stir in heavy cream and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy.
06 - Return cooked chicken to the skillet and mix thoroughly with the sauce.
07 - Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss gently to coat evenly with sauce.
08 - Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan over pasta, stirring until cheeses melt and blend into a creamy consistency.
09 - Remove from heat, garnish with fresh basil leaves and optional red pepper flakes. Serve immediately.

# Extra Suggestions:

01 - For a lighter alternative, substitute heavy cream with light cream. Adding vegetables such as bell peppers or spinach enhances nutritional value. Adjust red pepper flakes according to desired spiciness.