One-Pot Kid-Friendly Cheesy Chicken Pasta
Tender chicken bites and pasta cooked together in a creamy cheese sauce, perfect for a quick and comforting kid-friendly dinner. This kid friendly ready in about 30 minutes pairs elbow macaroni pasta, olive oil, small, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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
- 12 oz, cut into 1-inch cubes boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 8 oz elbow macaroni pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small, diced yellow onion
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp paprika
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 12 oz cubed chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes until the outside is golden and the chicken is almost cooked through.
- Step 2: Add 1 diced small yellow onion and 2 minced garlic cloves to the pot; sauté for 3 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
- Step 3: Pour in 3 cups chicken broth and 1 cup whole milk, then add 8 oz elbow macaroni pasta, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp paprika. Stir to combine.
- Step 4: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
- Step 5: Remove the pot from heat and stir in 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy, coating the pasta and chicken evenly.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Kid-Friendly Cheesy Chicken Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 One-Pot Kid-Friendly Cheesy 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 elbow macaroni pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Kid-Friendly Cheesy 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 One-Pot Kid-Friendly Cheesy 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 One-Pot Kid-Friendly Cheesy Chicken Pasta?
Kid Friendly kid friendly 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.
