Description
Looking for a creamy, comforting dinner idea that’s both easy and crowd-pleasing? This *Creamy Velveeta Chicken Rotini with Mozzarella Garlic Sauce* hits the spot! Tender, golden-seared chicken served over spiral rotini pasta drenched in a garlicky cheese sauce made with melty Velveeta and mozzarella — it’s the perfect mix of hearty and indulgent. Whether you need a quick weeknight dinner, a family-style weekend meal, or easy food ideas that everyone will enjoy, this dish brings bold flavor with minimal effort. It’s one of those easy recipes you’ll come back to over and over for both dinner ideas and leftover love.
Ingredients
4 boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Salt to taste
12 ounces rotini pasta
2 cups Velveeta cheese cubed
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
3 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup whole milk
0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
0.5 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
0.5 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
1. Pat chicken dry and season both sides with garlic powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 5–6 minutes per side until golden and fully cooked. Remove and let rest before slicing.
3. Bring a pot of salted water to boil. Add rotini and cook until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
4. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
5. Add milk and gently stir in Velveeta cubes and mozzarella. Stir constantly on low heat until sauce is creamy and smooth.
6. Add onion powder, salt, and pepper. Optionally stir in Parmesan for extra depth.
7. Toss in cooked rotini. Mix well until evenly coated in sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed to adjust consistency.
8. Top with sliced chicken, sprinkle parsley and Parmesan, and serve warm.
Notes
For best flavor, let the chicken rest before slicing so the juices redistribute.
Always melt cheese on low heat and stir to avoid grainy texture.
Save pasta water—it’s liquid gold for adjusting sauce thickness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approx. 1/4 of dish)
- Calories: 710
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 990mg
- Fat: 39g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
Keywords: creamy pasta, cheesy chicken pasta, easy dinner, Velveeta recipes, garlic mozzarella sauce