Creamy pasta with tender chicken, jalapeños, rich cheeses, and a crispy breadcrumb topping bursting with flavor.
# Ingredient List:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz penne or fusilli pasta
02 - Salt, for boiling water
→ Chicken
03 - 10 oz cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
04 - 2 fresh jalapeños, seeded and finely chopped
05 - ½ small onion, finely chopped
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
→ Cheese & Dairy
07 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
08 - 1 cup whole milk
09 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
10 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
11 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
→ Topping
12 - ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
13 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
14 - ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Seasonings
15 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
16 - ½ tsp salt
17 - ¼ tsp black pepper
# How to Prepare:
01 - Set oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - Melt 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and jalapeños; cook until softened, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook one additional minute.
04 - Lower heat to low. Add cream cheese and stir until smooth. Gradually whisk in milk until fully combined.
05 - Add cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, stirring until melted and creamy. Season with smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
06 - Fold cooked chicken and pasta into the sauce until evenly coated.
07 - Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly.
08 - Combine panko, melted butter, and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle evenly over the pasta mixture.
09 - Bake for 15–18 minutes until topping is golden and contents are bubbly.
10 - Optionally garnish with additional chopped jalapeños. Serve immediately.
