Census-Style Spiced Chicken Pasta
A comforting dish inspired by the diversity of U.S. cultures, blending creamy pasta with spiced chicken and vibrant herbs. This american fusion-inspired pasta ready in about 55 minutes pairs Chicken breast, Pasta, Cream of mushroom soup for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 400g Chicken breast
- 400g Pasta
- 240ml Cream of mushroom soup
- 1/4 cup, chopped Cilantro
- 3 cloves, minced Garlic
- 1 Lemon
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 400g chicken breast, season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Chop into 1/2-inch cubes.
- Step 2: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add 400g pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, stir in 240ml cream of mushroom soup and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro. Cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Add 1/2 cup pasta water and 1 lemon zest, stirring until the sauce coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 4: Toss cooked pasta into the skillet, mix well, and serve garnished with additional cilantro and lemon wedges.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Census-Style Spiced Chicken Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (25 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Census-Style Spiced Chicken Pasta?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken breast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Census-Style Spiced Chicken Pasta?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Census-Style Spiced Chicken Pasta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Census-Style Spiced Chicken Pasta?
American fusion pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
