If you are craving a comforting, rich, and satisfying meal, this Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta Recipe is an absolute winner. It brings together tender chicken, sweet bursts of corn, and a luscious creamy sauce that clings beautifully to your favorite pasta shape. The balance of flavors and textures makes every bite a delight, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy gathering with friends and family. Once you try this dish, it’s sure to become a go-to in your recipe collection, offering both simplicity and indulgence in every forkful.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, fresh ingredients is what makes this Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta Recipe so approachable and flavorful. Each component plays a crucial role—from the sweetness of the corn to the richness of the cream and the depth added by Parmesan cheese—creating a dish that’s more than the sum of its parts.
- Cooked chicken: Use shredded or diced chicken for easy mixing and a tender texture throughout the pasta.
- Pasta: Choose any shape you love; it holds the sauce wonderfully and adds a comforting base.
- Corn: Fresh, frozen, or canned corn provides a natural sweetness and a pop of color.
- Onion: Diced onion adds a subtle sweetness and depth when sautéed until translucent.
- Garlic: Minced garlic delivers a fragrant kick that elevates the sauce.
- Heavy cream: The heart of the sauce, it makes the dish irresistibly creamy and smooth.
- Chicken broth: Enhances the sauce with a savory richness without overpowering the other flavors.
- Parmesan cheese: Grated Parmesan melts into the sauce to add a sharp, nutty finish.
- Olive oil or butter: Provides the perfect base for sautéing and lends a silky mouthfeel.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning and bringing all the flavors together.
- Fresh herbs (optional): Parsley or thyme add a burst of freshness and a lovely pop of green.
How to Make Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Cook the pasta
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cooking the pasta according to the package instructions ensures it’s perfectly al dente. Once done, drain it well and set it aside to keep warm while you prepare the sauce.
Step 2: Sauté the onion
In a large skillet, heat your olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook it gently until it becomes soft and translucent. This step unlocks the sweet, mellow flavors of the onion, creating a solid foundation for the sauce.
Step 3: Add garlic and corn
Next, stir in the minced garlic and let it cook for about a minute—you’ll smell that wonderful aroma as it releases. Then add the corn, whether fresh, thawed frozen, or canned. The corn adds a slight crunch and natural sweetness that brightens the dish.
Step 4: Create the creamy sauce
Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Bring everything to a gentle simmer and let the sauce cook for 3 to 5 minutes, allowing it to thicken just enough to coat the pasta beautifully without becoming too heavy.
Step 5: Mix in chicken and pasta
Stir in your cooked chicken until evenly heated through. Then add the pasta to the skillet and toss everything together, making sure each piece is luxuriously coated with that creamy, dreamy sauce.
Step 6: Finish with Parmesan and seasoning
Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until it melts smoothly into the sauce, infusing it with a rich, nutty flavor. Finally, season with salt and pepper to your taste. This finishing touch harmonizes all the ingredients perfectly.
Step 7: Serve immediately
Once everything is combined, the Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta Recipe is ready to be served. Garnish it with fresh herbs if you like, adding a lovely color contrast and a hint of herbal brightness.
How to Serve Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs like parsley or thyme are wonderful finishing touches for this dish, adding a fresh aroma and pop of color. A sprinkle of extra Parmesan or a light drizzle of olive oil can also elevate the presentation and flavor.
Side Dishes
This pasta pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad dressed lightly in vinaigrette to cut through the richness. Garlic bread or crusty baguette slices are also excellent companions, perfect for soaking up any remaining creamy sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For a stunning presentation, serve this Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta Recipe in individual shallow bowls, topped with a sprinkle of herbs and Parmesan. You might also consider plating it over a bed of sautéed greens for an added layer of flavor and texture contrast.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta Recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce may thicken upon cooling, so a little stirring and added splash of broth or cream when reheating will bring it back to its luscious state.
Freezing
Freezing this dish is possible, but keep in mind that cream-based sauces sometimes separate after thawing. To avoid this, freeze the pasta and sauce separately if you can. Use freezer-safe containers and consume within 1-2 months for best quality.
Reheating
When reheating, warm the pasta gently in a saucepan over low heat, adding a touch of chicken broth or cream to loosen the sauce. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and maintain a creamy consistency. Microwaving works too but do it in short bursts for best results.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of meat instead of chicken?
Absolutely! This Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta Recipe is versatile, so you can swap chicken for cooked turkey, ham, or even keep it vegetarian by adding mushrooms or tofu for protein.
Is there a lighter version of this recipe?
Yes, you can use half-and-half or whole milk instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce, but keep in mind it won’t be quite as rich and creamy. Reducing the amount of cheese can also help lighten the dish.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Of course! Simply use gluten-free pasta varieties. All the other ingredients are naturally gluten-free, making it easy to adapt without compromising flavor.
What type of pasta works best for this recipe?
While you can use any pasta shape you prefer, shapes like penne, fusilli, or farfalle hold onto the creamy sauce particularly well, ensuring every bite is flavorful and satisfying.
Can I prepare this dish in advance for a party?
You can prepare the components ahead of time and assemble the dish just before serving. Keep the sauce, pasta, and chicken separate in the fridge to maintain freshness, then combine and heat gently just before serving.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta Recipe is truly a comforting classic with a twist of sweetness and richness that makes it impossible not to love. It’s simple enough for a busy weeknight but elegant enough to share with guests. I can’t wait for you to make this and enjoy every creamy, flavorful bite with your loved ones!
Print
Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta is a comforting, simple dish combining tender cooked chicken, sweet corn, and a luscious creamy sauce made with heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner with familiar flavors that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Protein
- Cooked chicken (shredded or diced) – 2 cups
Main
- Pasta (any shape) – 12 ounces
- Corn (fresh, frozen, or canned) – 1 cup
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
Dairy and Liquids
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
Fats and Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Fresh herbs (optional, such as parsley or thyme)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce base: In a large skillet, heat olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 4 minutes.
- Add garlic and corn: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then add the corn, ensuring frozen corn is thawed before adding.
- Create the creamy sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 3 to 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine chicken and pasta: Stir in the shredded or diced cooked chicken, then add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together so the pasta is well coated with the creamy sauce.
- Finish with cheese and seasoning: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season the dish with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme if desired, and serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- You can use any pasta shape, but short pasta like penne or fusilli works best to hold the sauce.
- Frozen corn should be thawed and drained before adding for best texture.
- Leftover cooked chicken works perfectly for this recipe, making it a great way to reduce waste.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half or milk for the heavy cream, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Fresh herbs add a nice brightness, but they’re optional.
