Dinner doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious! This Cheesy Chicken Tomato Pasta is proof that with a few pantry staples and in less than an hour, you can create a comforting, satisfying meal that the whole family will love.
There’s something magical about pasta night. Maybe it’s the way the house smells when garlic hits the pan, or how everyone instinctively gathers around the table a little faster than usual.
Our Cheesy Chicken Tomato Pasta is one of those recipes that checks all the boxes — creamy, comforting, and packed with flavor, with just a hint of spice (that you can totally control!).
It’s the kind of dinner that turns a regular weeknight into something special — and the leftovers (if you’re lucky enough to have any) are even better the next day.
My sister in law, Megan, first made this dish for our family years ago, and ever since we’ve called it “Aunt Megan’s Pasta.”
Why You’ll Love This Pasta
This dish has quickly become a family favorite in our home. It’s hearty enough to feed a crowd (or a bunch of hungry kids) and easy enough to whip up on a busy night.
The combination of creamy tomato sauce, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked pasta makes it one of those easy chicken dinner recipes you’ll return to again and again.
💡 Tip: If you’re cooking for little ones or spice-sensitive guests, go light on the red pepper flakes. Like a little heat? Feel free to turn it up!
Directions
Cook the chicken: Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook until just done — about 4–5 minutes per side depending on thickness. Transfer the chicken to a baking dish and cover to keep warm, leaving the pan drippings behind.
Make the roux: In the same skillet, add the flour to the drippings and stir until pasty and golden.
Build the sauce: Add the chicken broth, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes to the roux. Simmer for about 1 minute.
Get it creamy: Add the cream cheese, heavy cream, tomato sauce, most of the Parmesan cheese, and oregano. Stir continuously over medium-high heat until the sauce is thick and bubbly.
Bake the chicken: Pour the sauce over the chicken in the baking dish. Sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese and bake uncovered at 400°F for 10–15 minutes.
Boil the pasta: While the chicken bakes, cook your Ziti according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
Serve: Serve the chicken breasts whole or sliced over a bed of pasta. Spoon that delicious creamy tomato sauce over the top, and garnish with fresh parsley or more Parmesan if you’re feeling fancy.
Make This Tomato Pasta Your Own
This recipe is super versatile. The sauce + pasta would is a delicious vegetarian dish! You can add sautéed spinach or mushrooms for a veggie boost, or toss in some sun-dried tomatoes for an extra burst of flavor.
Want to stretch it even further? Shred the baked chicken into the sauce and mix everything together with the pasta before serving — kind of like a baked pasta dish!
Dinner doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious! This Cheesy Chicken Tomato Pasta is proof that with a few pantry staples and in less than an hour, you can create a comforting, satisfying meal that the whole family will love.
Cook the chicken: Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook until just done — about 4–5 minutes per side depending on thickness. Transfer the chicken to a baking dish and cover to keep warm, leaving the pan drippings behind.
Make the roux: In the same skillet, add the flour to the drippings and stir until pasty and golden.
Build the sauce: Add the chicken broth, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes to the roux. Simmer for about 1 minute.
Get it creamy: Add the cream cheese, heavy cream, tomato sauce, most of the Parmesan cheese, and oregano. Stir continuously over medium-high heat until the sauce is thick and bubbly.
Bake the chicken: Pour the sauce over the chicken in the baking dish. Sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese and bake uncovered at 400°F for 10–15 minutes.
Boil the pasta: While the chicken bakes, cook your Ziti according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
Serve: Serve the chicken breasts whole or sliced over a bed of pasta. Spoon that delicious creamy tomato sauce over the top, and garnish with fresh parsley or more Parmesan if you’re feeling fancy.
Notes
Tip: If you’re cooking for little ones or spice-sensitive guests, go light on the red pepper flakes. Like a little heat? Feel free to turn it up!
