White Cheddar Chicken Pasta

White Cheddar Cheese adds a sharp, unique flavor to this white sauce pasta with chicken. Perfect for a weeknight meal in 30 minutes.

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If you’re seeking a comforting and flavorful dish to satisfy your family’s cravings, this White Cheddar Chicken Pasta is the perfect choice. Crafted with simple ingredients and ready in just 30 minutes, it’s ideal for a cozy weeknight dinner. The combination of juicy chicken pieces and spiral pasta enveloped in a creamy sauce made from sharp white cheddar cheese creates a meal that’s both hearty and satisfying.

My favorite type of cheese is extra sharp cheddar cheese. We have a few recipes that use white cheddar cheese, and it’s delicious. We never seem to use a full block, so we have to find ways to use leftovers. Justin came up with white cheddar chicken pasta one night using a few different leftovers.

The first time I used white cheddar cheese was to make French Onion Steaks. I’ll be honest; before that, I didn’t know there was such a thing as white cheddar cheese! I’ve always loved yellow cheddar cheese, though.

The white cheddar cheese gives a sharpness to the pasta sauce that makes it a bit different from most white sauces we’ve made before. And the sauce comes out very creamy, which I always prefer. 

The meal didn’t take too long to make, either. Only about 30 minutes, so it’s something that could easily be thrown together on a busy weeknight. With Tyler in elementary school now and Justin is his Den Leader for Cub Scouts, our weeknights have been getting busier every week.

Tips & Variations for the Best White Cheddar Chicken Pasta

This White Cheddar Chicken Pasta is already a great meal, but here are some tips and fun variations to make it even better or tailor it to your taste:

Cheese Matters

• For the best flavor, use sharp white cheddar cheese. You can mix in some sharp cheddar or Parmesan cheese for extra depth.
• A simple cheese sauce made from scratch beats anything pre-made. Avoid grainy consistency by grating your cheese fresh and melting it gradually.
• Add a splash of ranch dressing or cream of chicken soup to create an ultra-creamy sauce.

Chicken Choices

• If you’re short on time, rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken works beautifully.
• Use a meat mallet to flatten thick skinless chicken breasts before cutting them into 1-inch cubes for even cooking.
• Want bold flavor? Marinate the chicken in a bit of Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and olive oil beforehand.

Pasta & Add-ins

• Spiral pasta like rotini holds the cheesy sauce really well—just be sure to cook the pasta al dente.
• Toss in broccoli florets, peas, or even sautéed mushrooms to sneak in some veggies.
• Want a kick? A little hot sauce or red pepper flakes will liven things up without overwhelming picky eaters.

Wine Tips

• Add small splashes of white wine—like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio—while cooking to elevate the sauce. They’re among the best wine options for creamy dishes.
• If you’re not into wine, chicken broth works as a great alternative.

Cooking Tips

• Always cook over medium heat for a smooth, velvety sauce. A gentle bubble is all you need—avoid boiling!
• Melt butter before adding onions and garlic for a richer flavor base.
• Use a large skillet or a large pot to give the ingredients room to cook evenly.

White Cheddar Chicken Pasta Step by Step

Ingredients

• 8 oz linguine noodles
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp basil
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 lb chicken breast (boneless, skinless)
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup white cooking wine
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 4 oz white cheddar cheese (shredded)

Preparation

Cook the pasta as directed.

Meanwhile, mix 1/4 cup of flour with the basil, salt, and pepper.

Coat each chicken breast in the flour mixture. In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Then place the chicken in the warm pan. Turn the heat to medium-low and cook the chicken. Flip as needed, until it is cooked through. 

Remove the chicken from the pan and cut it into strips.

Pour in the white wine and milk.

Slowly whisk in 2 tbsp of flour and raise the heat to medium-high.

Bring the sauce to a boil while stirring constantly for about one minute. Then turn the heat to low and stir in the cheese until it’s melted. 

Place each portion of pasta on your serving plates. Top with chicken and pour the sauce over everything. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.

Recipe

White Cheddar Chicken Pasta

White Cheddar Cheese adds a sharp, unique flavor to this white sauce pasta with chicken. Perfect for a weeknight meal in 30 minutes.

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Course:

Main Dish

Cuisine:

American

Keyword:

cheese

|

chicken

|

pasta

Servings: 4 servings

5 from 2 votes

Ingredients

• 8 oz linguine noodles
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp basil
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 lb chicken breast (boneless, skinless)
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup white cooking wine
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 4 oz white cheddar cheese (shredded)

Recommended Equipment

• Saucepan – Medium
• Skillet

Instructions

• Cook the linguine according to the directions
• Combine 1/4 cup of flour with the basil, salt, and pepper
• Coat each chicken breast with the flour mixture
• In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, melt the butter
• Add the chicken to the pan and reduce the heat to medium-low
• Cook for about 10 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through, flipping as needed
• Remove the chicken from the pan and cut into strips
• Pour in the white cooking wine and milk
• Slowly whisk in the flour and raise the heat to medium-high
• Bring to a boil for about one minute, stirring constantly
• Turn the heat to low and add the cheese, stirring until it’s melted
• Place a serving of pasta on each plate, top with chicken and cover with the sauce

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Nutrition Facts

White Cheddar Chicken Pasta

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 562 Calories from Fat 162

% Daily Value*

Fat 18g28%

Saturated Fat 9g45%

Cholesterol 116mg39%

Sodium 509mg21%

Potassium 654mg19%

Carbohydrates 54g18%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 4g4%

Protein 41g82%

Vitamin A 505IU10%

Vitamin C 1.3mg2%

Calcium 291mg29%

Iron 1.9mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.

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