Creamy Leftover Chicken Pasta

Servings: 4
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A quick and creamy pasta dinner made with leftover chicken, peas, and a simple cream cheese sauce.
Creamy Leftover Chicken Pasta pinit
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Creamy Leftover Chicken Pasta

Servings: 4

Description

An easy leftover chicken pasta with tender chicken, pasta, peas, and a simple cream cheese Parmesan sauce. A quick, budget-friendly dinner ready in around 25 minutes.

Ingredients

For the Pasta

For the Creamy Sauce

Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente.
  2. Before draining, reserve about ½ cup of the pasta water. Drain the pasta and set it aside.

2. Start the Sauce

  1. Heat the olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat.
  2. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant. Don't allow the garlic to brown.

3. Make It Creamy

  1. Add the chicken broth, milk, and cream cheese.
  2. Cook gently, stirring frequently, until the cream cheese melts and the mixture becomes smooth. Stir in the Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and black pepper.
  3. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.

4. Add the Leftover Chicken

  1. Stir the cooked chicken and frozen peas into the sauce.
  2. Cook for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is thoroughly reheated and the peas are tender.
  3. Because the chicken is already cooked, you're only reheating it. Avoid simmering it for too long, which can make the chicken dry.

5. Combine With the Pasta

  1. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss until everything is evenly coated in the creamy sauce.
  2. Taste before adding salt. Finish with additional Parmesan, black pepper, parsley, or a small squeeze of lemon juice if desired.

Note

Use any cooked leftover chicken, including roast, baked, grilled, or rotisserie chicken.

Add the chicken near the end and heat only until piping hot to prevent it from becoming dry. If the sauce is too thick, stir in a splash of reserved pasta water, milk, or chicken broth.

Frozen peas can be replaced with broccoli, spinach, sweetcorn, or mixed vegetables.

Taste before adding salt, as the chicken, Parmesan, and broth may already be salty.

For extra richness, add more Parmesan or a small handful of shredded cheese.

Store leftovers promptly in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Remember that cooking leftover chicken in a new dish doesn't reset how long the chicken has already been stored.

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