Cozy Wholesome Chicken and Corn Pasta Recipe for Family Joy
Comfort meets convenience in this hearty chicken and corn pasta that promises to satisfy even the pickiest eaters.
Weeknight dinners demand quick, delicious solutions that don’t compromise on flavor.
This wholesome chicken and corn pasta recipe blends tender chicken, sweet corn, and perfectly cooked noodles into a delightful meal.
Each bite offers a perfect balance of protein and freshness, creating a harmonious dance of textures and tastes.
The simple ingredients come together effortlessly, transforming ordinary pantry staples into an extraordinary dish.
Creamy, savory, and packed with nutrition, this pasta will quickly become a family favorite that everyone will request again and again.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Calories: 500 kcal
Servings: 5
Ingredients for Chicken and Corn Pasta That Satisfy
For Protein:
Chicken Breast: Lean, tender protein that adds hearty flavor and substance to the dish; choose fresh, boneless cuts for quick and even cooking.
Parmesan Cheese: Adds rich, nutty depth and helps thicken the sauce; select authentic aged Parmesan for maximum flavor complexity.
For Sauce Base:
Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, velvety texture; opt for full-fat cream for maximum richness.
Cream Cheese: Provides tangy smoothness and helps create a silky, consistent sauce; select full-fat, room temperature version for easier melting.
Chicken Broth: Enhances overall savory profile and helps balance sauce consistency; choose low-sodium for better control of salt levels.
For Aromatics and Vegetables:
Corn: Brings sweet, fresh crunch and vibrant color; select fresh or frozen kernels at peak ripeness.
Garlic: Delivers robust, aromatic foundation; use fresh cloves for most intense flavor.
Olive Oil: Provides smooth base for sautéing and adds subtle fruity undertone; choose extra virgin for best quality.
Parsley: Offers bright, fresh garnish with herbal notes; select crisp, green leaves.
For Seasoning:
Salt: Amplifies and balances overall dish flavors.
Black Pepper: Adds warm, subtle heat and complexity.
Paprika: Introduces gentle smokiness and beautiful color.
For Pasta:
Pasta: Serves as hearty, satisfying base; choose medium-sized shapes that hold sauce well.
Tools That Help Cook Chicken and Corn Pasta Smoothly
Large Skillet: Essential for cooking chicken, corn, and creating the creamy sauce.
Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring ingredients and preventing sticking.
Cutting Board: Needed for preparing chicken and chopping parsley.
Sharp Knife: Used for cutting chicken and parsley.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: Help ensure accurate ingredient quantities.
Colander: Necessary for draining cooked pasta.
Tongs: Helpful for handling and moving chicken during cooking.
How to Prepare Chicken and Corn Pasta with Rich Flavor
Boil Pasta Transform your pasta into a perfectly cooked base by following package instructions. Drain and keep ready for the magic to happen.
Sizzle Chicken Warm up your skillet and drizzle with olive oil. Toss in chicken seasoned with a flavor explosion of salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook until golden and thoroughly done.
Infuse Corn and Garlic Throw corn and garlic into the same skillet, creating a fragrant foundation for your creamy masterpiece. Stir and let them dance together briefly.
Create Dreamy Sauce Lower the heat and introduce heavy cream, chicken broth, Parmesan, and cream cheese. Whisk until the mixture transforms into a silky, luxurious sauce.
Reunite Ingredients Bring the chicken back to the party, mixing it lovingly into the velvety sauce.
Combine and Simmer Introduce the cooked pasta, twirling everything together until each strand is generously coated. Let the flavors mingle and warm through.
Garnish and Serve Plate your culinary creation, sprinkling fresh parsley on top for a pop of color and freshness. Enjoy your restaurant-quality meal at home!
Add-Ins for Making This Chicken Pasta Your Own
Easily substitute chicken with shrimp, turkey, or tofu for a different protein option that keeps the dish exciting and versatile.
Replace pasta with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice to create a lighter, lower-carbohydrate version that's still packed with flavor.
Add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper for an extra kick of heat that transforms the dish from creamy to boldly spicy.
Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and nutritional yeast in place of Parmesan cheese to make the recipe suitable for dairy-sensitive diners.
Experiment with different fresh herbs like basil, thyme, or chives to add complexity and brighten the overall flavor profile of the dish.
Serving Chicken and Corn Pasta with Light Garnishes
Cozy Family Dinner Delight: Serve this creamy pasta in large, warm bowls with extra Parmesan sprinkled on top for a comforting meal that everyone will love.
Fresh Green Companion: Pair the dish with a crisp side salad dressed in light vinaigrette to balance the richness of the creamy pasta and provide a refreshing contrast.
Bread Basket Bonus: Offer warm garlic bread or crusty Italian bread on the side to soak up the delicious sauce and complete the hearty meal with a satisfying crunch.
Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the creamy chicken pasta with a chilled glass of Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio to enhance the flavors and elevate the dining experience.
Storage and Reheat Tips for Pasta Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Coolness keeps the creamy sauce and tender chicken tasting delicious and fresh.
Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent sauce separation. Stir frequently for even heating and maintain the original silky texture.
Portion meal into individual containers before freezing. Will maintain quality for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating for best results.
Prepare chicken and sauce components separately to extend freshness. Store pasta separately to prevent soggy noodles. Mix just before serving for maximum flavor and texture integrity.
Comfort meets elegance in this creamy chicken and corn pasta, blending southern charm with hearty home cooking. Savory chicken, sweet corn, and perfectly cooked pasta combine into a delightful meal that welcomes you to indulge in pure culinary satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast (or thighs), cut into bite-sized pieces
12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or your favorite)
1 cup corn (fresh, frozen, or canned and drained)
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup chicken broth
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons cream cheese (for extra creaminess)
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon paprika (optional)
2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Pasta Preparation: Cook pasta al dente according to package guidelines, then drain and reserve.
Protein Searing: In a spacious skillet, heat olive oil over medium flame. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika, then sauté until golden and thoroughly cooked. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.
Vegetable Infusion: Using the same skillet, introduce garlic and corn, sautéing until fragrant and slightly caramelized.
Sauce Composition: Reduce heat to medium-low, incorporating heavy cream, chicken broth, Parmesan, and cream cheese. Simmer gently, stirring continuously until the sauce transforms into a silky, luxurious consistency.
Protein Reunion: Reintroduce the seared chicken into the sauce, ensuring even distribution and thorough coating.
Final Integration: Fold in the prepared pasta, gently tossing to marry all components. Allow the mixture to simmer briefly, enabling flavors to meld and pasta to absorb the creamy essence.
Serving Presentation: Transfer to serving dishes, optionally garnishing with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant finish.
Notes
Ensure chicken is cut into uniform pieces for even cooking and golden browning. Pat chicken dry before seasoning to achieve better caramelization and prevent steaming.
Continuously stir cream-based sauce to prevent scorching and achieve smooth texture. If sauce becomes too thick, gradually add small amounts of chicken broth to thin.
Add Parmesan and cream cheese off direct heat to prevent separation. Stir gently until completely incorporated for a silky, luxurious sauce.
Allow pasta to simmer briefly in sauce to absorb flavors and eliminate excess liquid. This step enhances overall dish richness and prevents watery results.
Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine
Education
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.
Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care.
After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.
Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.
Michael Thompson
Founder & Culinary Director
Expertise
Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine
Education
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care.
After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.
Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.