Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta Recipe
This creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta recipe is a quick and delicious dinner that is so easy to make. It’s packed with flavorful chicken, sweet corn, and a luxurious creamy sauce, all twirled around your favorite pasta. Perfect for those evenings when you need a comforting meal without too much fuss, this recipe is bound to become a staple at your table.
Why you will love making Chicken and Corn Pasta
Here’s why you’ll find yourself coming back to this Chicken and Corn Pasta recipe:
- Quick Preparation: From fridge to table, this meal can be whipped up in about 30 minutes.
- Versatility: Feel free to toss in some extra veggies or a different type of cheese to suit your taste or to use up what you have on hand.
- Kid-Friendly: With its creamy texture and familiar ingredients, even the pickiest eaters will dig into this dish without hesitation.
- Perfect for Leftovers: Not only is it great for dinner, but it’s also excellent for lunch the next day.
- Nutrient-Rich: Loaded with protein from the chicken and fiber from the corn, this dish not only fills you up but also offers substantial nutritional benefits.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How to make Chicken and Corn Pasta with Step-By-Step Instructions
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
Creating this comforting dish is easier than you might think. Here’s how to bring it to life in your kitchen:
Cook the pasta
In a medium-sized pot, boil your pasta until it’s al dente. Drain the water once it’s cooked. This typically takes about 8-10 minutes, depending on the type of pasta.
Season and cook the chicken
While your pasta cooks, season your chicken breast chunks with smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium to high heat, add the chicken, and cook until it’s golden and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
Cook the corn and make the sauce
In the same skillet, add a bit more oil and the corn kernels, season with salt, pepper, paprika, and chili powder. Cook for a few minutes, then remove half to set aside. To the remaining corn in the skillet, add heavy cream and bring to a gentle boil. Stir in the grated Parmesan until melted and smooth.
Combine and serve
Add the drained pasta and cooked chicken back into the skillet with the creamy corn sauce. Stir well to combine and heat everything through.
Sprinkle over the cooked, chopped bacon and the reserved corn. Garnish with parsley if desired, and serve your creamy, comforting pasta dish hot!
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
To ensure your dish turns out perfectly every time, here are some handy tips and tricks:
- Pasta: While bow-tie pasta beautifully traps the sauce, feel free to use any pasta shape you have on hand, like farfalle or fusilli. Each shape brings a little something different to the table!
- Cream Substitutes: If you’re looking for a lighter version, half-and-half can replace heavy cream, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Different type of meat: Turkey, pork, or even shrimp make great alternatives in this pasta dish. Just adjust cooking times accordingly.
- Too thick: If the sauce thickens too much, simply thin it with a bit of milk or chicken broth until you reach your desired consistency.
- Spice It Up: For a bit of a kick, sprinkle in some red pepper flakes when seasoning the chicken or the sauce.
- Add Veggies: Boost the nutritional value and color of your dish by adding spinach, cherry tomatoes, or mushrooms during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Easy Bacon Option: Microwave bacon is a quick and fuss-free option that works wonderfully in this recipe. Just chop it up and sprinkle it on top before serving.
- Bacon Tips: If you prefer cooking your bacon on the stove, getting it extra crispy adds a delightful crunch and rich flavor to the pasta.
- Cheese Options: While Parmesan is great for a nutty, salty flavor, trying out different cheeses like feta or even a sprinkle of mozzarella can add a new dimension to your dish.
- Extra Cheese: Feel free to top your plated pasta with extra grated Parmesan for that extra cheesy goodness.
- Seasoning Adjustments: Don’t be afraid to adjust the seasonings to taste, especially if you’re using less salt or more pepper.
- Gluten-free: Swap out the regular pasta for your favorite gluten-free variety. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but always check labels to be sure.
How to Store Leftover Creamy Corn Pasta
This pasta stores really well with these simple tips:
- Refrigeration: Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator after it has cooled to room temperature. It will keep well for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, simply pop it in the microwave, or for best results, warm it on the stove over low heat. Add a little milk or cream to the pan to help the sauce regain its creamy texture.
- Freezing: This dish can be frozen, but keep in mind that creamy sauces may separate or become grainy once thawed. If you do choose to freeze, use within a month for best quality. When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating gently on the stove.
Our Top 3 Money-Saving Tips for This Recipe
Making Chicken and Corn Pasta doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are our top three tips to keep it budget-friendly:
- DIY Heavy Cream: Make your own heavy cream substitute by mixing milk with a bit of butter. It’s cheaper and works well in recipes.
- Cook in Bulk: Prepare larger quantities and freeze portions for later. It saves time and money on ingredients bought in bulk.
- Use Leftovers: Add leftover vegetables or even another type of meat from previous meals.
What to Serve with Creamy Chicken Pasta
Here are some ideas on what to serve to round out your meal:
Sautéed Spinach
Quickly sauté some fresh spinach with garlic and a little olive oil for a simple, flavorful side that adds a pop of color and a boost of nutrients to your meal. The garlic ties nicely with the creamy garlic notes in the pasta.
Garlic Bread
No pasta dish is complete without a side of garlic bread. It’s perfect for mopping up any leftover sauce and adds a nice garlicky crunch that pairs wonderfully with the creamy texture of the pasta.
Air Fried Vegetables
For something a bit heartier, try air fryer vegetables like air fryer broccoli, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts. Roasting in the air fryer brings out a lovely depth of flavor that matches well with the savory elements of the pasta. Plus, it’s quick and easy!
More Family Friendly Dinner You Will Love
- Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
- Chicken Casserole Recipe
- Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets Recipe
- Copycat Olive Garden Ravioli Carbonara Recipe
- Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
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Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 10 ounces bow tie pasta
- 2 chicken breasts chopped into chunks
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons pepper
- 3 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 cups corn kernels frozen
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 bacon strips cooked (chopped)
- Parsley for topping (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium size pot add the pasta and begin cooking it until done. Drain once done.10 ounces bow tie pasta
- While the pasta is cooking, add the chicken breast chunks into a medium-sized bowl and add a teaspoon of smoked paprika, a teaspoon of Italian seasoning, a teaspoon of salt, and a teaspoon of pepper. Stir until everything is coated.2 chicken breasts, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 2 teaspoons salt, 2 teaspoons pepper, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- In a large high-sided pan, add 2 tablespoons of oil and the chicken and cook on medium to high heat until the chicken is cooked through. Once done remove the chicken to a plate and set aside.3 tablespoons olive oil
- Add the frozen corn, 1 tablespoon of oil, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon paprika, and 1 teaspoon chili powder. Stir and cook on a low heat for around 3 minutes.2 cups corn kernels, 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Remove about half the corn kernels to a plate and set aside. In the same pan, add 1 cup of heavy cream to the remaining corn kernels and bring to a gentle boil. Once simmering, add the Parmesan cheese and stir continuously until the cheese has melted and incorporated into the creamy sauce.1 cup heavy cream, ½ cup Parmesan cheese
- Next, add the cooked and drained pasta to the pan with the creamy corn and cheese sauce. Also, add the cooked chicken to the pan. Gently stir everything together until the pasta, chicken, and corn are evenly coated with the sauce, ensuring all ingredients are well combined.
- Top with the chopped cooked bacon and the other half of the corn kernels that were set aside. You can also top it with parsley here or skip that step. Serve and enjoy!Parsley, 8 bacon strips
Notes
- Pasta: While bow-tie pasta beautifully traps the sauce, feel free to use any pasta shape you have on hand, like farfalle or fusilli. Each shape brings a little something different to the table!
- Cream Substitutes: If you’re looking for a lighter version, half-and-half can replace heavy cream, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Different type of meat: Turkey, pork, or even shrimp make great alternatives in this pasta dish. Just adjust cooking times accordingly.
- Too thick: If the sauce thickens too much, simply thin it with a bit of milk or chicken broth until you reach your desired consistency.
- Spice It Up: For a bit of a kick, sprinkle in some red pepper flakes when seasoning the chicken or the sauce.
- Add Veggies: Boost the nutritional value and color of your dish by adding spinach, cherry tomatoes, or mushrooms during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Easy Bacon Option: Microwave bacon is a quick and fuss-free option that works wonderfully in this recipe. Just chop it up and sprinkle it on top before serving.
- Bacon Tips: If you prefer cooking your bacon on the stove, getting it extra crispy adds a delightful crunch and rich flavor to the pasta.
- Cheese Options: While Parmesan is great for a nutty, salty flavor, trying out different cheeses like feta or even a sprinkle of mozzarella can add a new dimension to your dish.
- Extra Cheese: Feel free to top your plated pasta with extra grated Parmesan for that extra cheesy goodness.
- Seasoning Adjustments: Don’t be afraid to adjust the seasonings to taste, especially if you’re using less salt or more pepper.
- Gluten-free: Swap out the regular pasta for your favorite gluten-free variety. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but always check labels to be sure.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Refrigeration: Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator after it has cooled to room temperature. It will keep well for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, simply pop it in the microwave, or for best results, warm it on the stove over low heat. Add a little milk or cream to the pan to help the sauce regain its creamy texture.
- Freezing: This dish can be frozen, but keep in mind that creamy sauces may separate or become grainy once thawed. If you do choose to freeze, use within a month for best quality. When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating gently on the stove.
