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Homemade Easy Creamy Chicken Pasta With Bell Peppers photo

Easy Creamy Chicken Pasta With Bell Peppers

Creamy rotini tossed with cubed chicken, sautéed bell peppers and a Parmesan half-and-half sauce. Ready in about 30 minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 12 ouncesrotini pasta
  • 1 pound about2 small boneless skinless chicken breastscut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 small green bell pepperdiced small
  • 1 small red bell pepperdiced small
  • 2 cupshalf and half*
  • 1/2 cup 4 oz butter
  • 3/4 cup 3 oz shredded Parmesan cheeseplus more for topping
  • 1 teaspoonchives or green onionsminced optional
  • 1/2 teaspoondried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoondried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoonsalt

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • large nonstick skillet
  • Colander
  • Bowl
  • Spatula

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt the water lightly and add 12 ounces rotini. Cook according to package instructions, then drain and set the pasta aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 1 pound cubed boneless skinless chicken breasts and the diced small green and red bell peppers. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the peppers are tender, about 6–8 minutes. (If you prefer crunchier peppers, add the peppers after 2–3 minutes of cooking the chicken.) Transfer the chicken and peppers to a bowl and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, melt 1/2 cup (4 oz) butter over medium heat. Pour in 2 cups half-and-half and bring to a low simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture reduces and thickens slightly, about 5–8 minutes.
  4. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in 3/4 cup (3 oz) shredded Parmesan cheese, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon minced chives or green onions (if using). Stir until the Parmesan is melted and the sauce is smooth.
  5. Return the cooked chicken and peppers to the skillet, add the drained rotini, and toss gently to coat everything evenly with the sauce. Warm briefly over low–medium heat if needed, about 1–2 minutes.
  6. Serve immediately, topping with additional Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Notes
*You can substitute 2/3 cup heavy cream + 1 1/3 cup milk (any percentage) for the half and half.
For optimal timing, put water on to boil and cut chicken and veggies and measure out the rest of your ingredients. Begin cooking the chicken and peppers and then add your noodles to the boiling water after 2 or 3 minutes.
If you have everything cut and prepared in advance, the rotini and sauce should finish at almost the same time.