Chicken Pasta Recipes

Pasta Shapes That Work Well With Chicken

Picking the perfect pasta shape can truly elevate your chicken pasta dish— here’s a simple guide to help:

Short, chunky pasta (like penne, rigatoni, farfalle, or shells): Ideal for dishes with pieces of chicken. Their ridges and tubes hold sauce beautifully, making each bite satisfying. Penne and rigatoni are especially great as “sauce magnets,” while farfalle or bow ties are fun and versatile for pasta salads or creamy pasta dishes.

Long pasta (such as fettuccine, linguine, or tagliatelle): They are ideal for creamy and tomato-based dishes. They coat the sauce and work especially well when using sliced chicken breast, as the strips of pasta intertwine with each chicken.

What sauces pair well with chicken pasta dishes?

Several sauces with a range of flavors, from red tomato based sauce to creamy white alfredo sauce pair exceptionally well.

• Alfredo sauce - Rich and creamy alfredo sauce made with butter, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese, adds a luxurious texture and flavor as in instant pot shrimp alfredo.
• Marinara sauce - The classic tomato-based sauce adds a vibrant and tangy flavor.
• Pesto sauce - It adds a vibrant, herbaceous flavor, as in our instant pot pesto pasta.
• Creamy garlic parmesan sauce - The velvety sauce adds a rich and indulgent flavor.
• Tomato cream sauce - The combination of marinara sauce and heavy cream, creates a creamy yet slightly tangy sauce that pairs well.
• Mushroom Cream Sauce - It is a creamy sauce made with sautéed mushrooms, garlic, shallots and heavy cream. It adds a rich and earthy flavor as in chicken mushroom pasta.
• Lemon butter sauce - A light and tangy sauce adds a refreshing and citrusy flavor as in garlic butter shrimp pasta.
• Arrabbiata sauce - A spicy tomato-based sauce adds a fiery kick
• Roasted red pepper sauce - The velvety sauce made using roasted red peppers, garlic and onions, adds a smoky and slightly sweet flavor.