Chicken and pasta is the dinner combo that never lets you down. It’s affordable, kid-friendly, and works with just about any sauce in your fridge. These 23 pasta and chicken recipes cover every mood, from creamy Alfredo and spicy Cajun to cozy crockpot dinners and spot-on restaurant copycats.
Most of them come together in about 30 minutes, and many use your air fryer, Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi, or slow cooker to cut down on hands-on time and dishes. Bookmark this list and you’ll have a new chicken pasta dinner for almost every night of the month.
Creamy Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipes
If rich, cheesy sauce is your love language, start here. These six chicken Alfredo recipes range from 30-minute skillet dinners to crispy air fryer stuffed shells.
1. Domino’s Chicken Alfredo Pasta
Skip the delivery fee and make this pizza-shop favorite at home. Fettuccine or penne gets tossed with grilled, roasted, or pan-seared chicken in a silky Alfredo sauce, then finished with Parmesan and parsley. It’s a great way to use up leftover chicken, too.
Get the recipe: Domino’s Chicken Alfredo Pasta
2. Ninja Foodi Chicken Alfredo
Chicken and pasta pressure cook together in just 5 to 6 minutes, then get stirred into a creamy Alfredo sauce. It’s a true one-pot dinner, so cleanup is a breeze. Serve with garlic bread for soaking up the extra sauce.
Get the recipe: Ninja Foodi Chicken Alfredo
3. Fazoli’s Fettuccine Alfredo (With Chicken)
This copycat is ready in about 25 minutes using butter, heavy cream, cream cheese, Parmesan, and garlic. Top each plate with sliced Italian-seasoned grilled chicken to turn it into a hearty chicken fettuccine Alfredo.
Get the recipe: Fazoli’s Fettuccine Alfredo
4. Fazoli’s Chicken Broccoli Penne
Penne, Italian-seasoned chicken, and Parmesan-roasted broccoli are smothered in Alfredo, then baked under mozzarella and provolone. It’s on the table in under an hour and quietly sneaks some veggies into pasta night.
Get the recipe: Fazoli’s Chicken Broccoli Penne
5. Olive Garden Chicken Tortelloni Alfredo
Cheese-filled Asiago tortelloni meets creamy Alfredo and juicy air fryer chicken seasoned with Italian herbs. It tastes like a night out at Olive Garden. Pair it with a simple salad or breadsticks.
Get the recipe: Olive Garden Chicken Tortelloni Alfredo
6. Air Fryer Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells
Jumbo shells are packed with shredded chicken, ricotta, and Parmesan, then covered in Alfredo sauce. The air fryer crisps the edges while keeping the filling rich and creamy. A fun twist on classic baked shells.
Get the recipe: Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells
Cajun, Spicy and Bold Chicken Pasta Recipes
Want a little heat? These chicken pasta recipes bring Cajun spice, buffalo tang, Tex-Mex flavor, and even a Kung Pao kick.
7. Air Fryer Cajun Chicken Pasta
Cajun-rubbed chicken breasts cook up juicy in the air fryer while penne or ziti simmers in a sauce of onions, fire-roasted tomatoes, and chicken broth. A little cream cheese melts in at the end for a bold, creamy finish.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Cajun Chicken Pasta
8. Instant Pot Chili’s Copycat Cajun Chicken Pasta
This restaurant favorite combines Cajun-spiced chicken and penne in a rich cream sauce with a touch of Parmesan. The Instant Pot does the heavy lifting, so you get Chili’s flavor without leaving home.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Chili’s Cajun Chicken Pasta
9. Instant Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta
Blackened chicken, diced tomatoes, and poblano peppers come together with penne and cream cheese. The pasta cooks in the Instant Pot while the chicken sears in a skillet, so dinner is ready fast. Use chicken breasts or thighs.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta
10. Ninja Speedi Cajun Chicken Pasta
All that bold Cajun flavor, made start to finish in the Ninja Speedi. You sear the chicken, cook the pasta, and stir up the creamy sauce in one appliance. Perfect for busy weeknights.
Get the recipe: Ninja Speedi Cajun Chicken Pasta
11. Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Pasta
Think of this as a hot wing craving in pasta form. Tender buffalo chicken and pasta are tossed in a creamy, tangy sauce with just the right amount of heat. It comes together quickly and makes a great game-day dinner.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Pasta
12. Kung Pao Chicken Spaghetti (CPK Copycat)
Inspired by California Pizza Kitchen, this dish features chicken marinated in soy sauce and cornstarch, then crisped in the air fryer. It’s tossed with spaghetti, peanuts, and a spicy, savory sauce. A fun change from Italian-style pasta.
Get the recipe: Kung Pao Chicken Spaghetti
13. Instant Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta
Rotini, diced chicken, salsa, and fajita seasoning pressure cook in just 4 minutes. Stir in bell peppers, cream, and shredded cheese at the end for a Tex-Mex dinner in under 30 minutes.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta
Olive Garden and Italian Restaurant Copycats
Bring the Italian restaurant experience home with these chicken pasta copycats, no reservation required.
14. Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta
Chicken breasts slow cook in Italian dressing and a creamy sauce, then get shredded and tossed with penne. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it dinner that tastes like you spent all day on it. Swap in chicken thighs for extra juiciness.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta
15. Olive Garden Chicken Scampi
Crispy air fryer chicken, sautéed bell peppers, and a creamy garlic sauce make this copycat a standout. It takes about 25 minutes of kitchen time. Serve it over pasta with focaccia on the side to mop up the sauce.
Get the recipe: Olive Garden Chicken Scampi
16. Olive Garden Chicken Marsala Fettuccine
Tender chicken breast is cooked in a savory Marsala wine sauce and served over fettuccine. Linguine, spaghetti, or penne all work if that’s what’s in your pantry. Use gluten-free pasta and broth to make it gluten-free.
Get the recipe: Olive Garden Chicken Marsala Fettuccine
17. Easy Instant Pot Pesto Chicken Pasta
Tender chicken, cherry tomatoes, and a homemade cashew basil pesto come together in under 30 minutes. It’s fresh, garlicky, and lighter than a cream sauce, making it a great pick for spring and summer.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Pesto Chicken Pasta
Slow Cooker and Comfort Food Chicken Pasta
Let the slow cooker do the work. These cozy chicken pasta dinners need about 10 minutes of prep before they simmer away on their own.
18. Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (BWW Copycat)
Only six ingredients go into this Buffalo Wild Wings-inspired dinner. Chicken cooks low and slow in garlic Parmesan sauce, milk, cream cheese, and Parmesan, then gets shredded. The rotini goes in at the end to soak up every bit of sauce.
Get the recipe: Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
19. Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie Pasta
All the comfort of chicken pot pie, minus the crust. Chicken, mixed vegetables, and cream of chicken soup cook down into a rich sauce, then get tossed with cavatappi or rotini. Cook the pasta one minute shy of al dente so it doesn’t turn mushy.
Get the recipe: Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie Pasta
20. Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker Pro Chicken Pot Pie Pasta
If you own the Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker Pro, this version of chicken pot pie pasta is made for it. You get the same creamy, veggie-packed comfort food with the convenience of a multi-cooker.
Get the recipe: Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker Pro Chicken Pot Pie Pasta
Chicken Noodle Bowls and Soups
When the weather turns chilly, these noodle-packed chicken dinners hit the spot.
21. Instant Pot Chicken and Noodles With Cream of Mushroom Soup
Egg noodles cook right in the pot, then shredded chicken gets stirred back in for a creamy, cozy bowl. It’s pure comfort food on a busy night and a guaranteed hit with kids.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Chicken and Noodles
22. Instant Pot Chicken Ramen
Tender chicken, vegetables, and ramen noodles simmer in a savory broth in about 30 minutes. It’s a huge upgrade from the instant packets and just as easy to make on a weeknight.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Ramen
23. Copycat Instant Pot Panera Chicken Noodle Soup
Shredded chicken, tender noodles, and carrots in a rich broth taste just like the café version. It comes together quickly in the Instant Pot, making it perfect for sick days or cold nights.
Get the recipe: Copycat Panera Chicken Noodle Soup
Tips for the Best Chicken Pasta
- Cook chicken to 165°F. An instant-read thermometer takes the guesswork out, whether you air fry, sear, or slow cook.
- Choose thighs for juicier results. Boneless, skinless thighs stay tender in the slow cooker and pressure cooker.
- Undercook pasta slightly. If the pasta finishes in the sauce, pull it a minute before al dente so it doesn’t go mushy.
- Save a splash of pasta water. The starchy water loosens thick cream sauces and helps them cling to the noodles.
- Add dairy last in the Instant Pot. Cream and cheese on the bottom of the pot can trigger the burn warning, so stir them in after pressure cooking.
- Pick sturdy shapes. Penne, rotini, cavatappi, and ziti hold up well in one-pot and slow cooker recipes.
Pasta and Chicken Recipe FAQs
What pasta goes best with chicken?
Short shapes like penne, rotini, cavatappi, and ziti pair well with chunky chicken and creamy sauces. Fettuccine is the classic choice for Alfredo and Marsala.
Can I use rotisserie or leftover chicken?
Yes. Shredded rotisserie or leftover chicken works in most of these recipes. Stir it in at the end so it warms through without drying out.
Can I use frozen chicken?
Thaw it first for one-pot pasta recipes. Frozen chicken takes longer to cook, which can leave the pasta overcooked and mushy.
How do I store and reheat chicken pasta?
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days. Reheat on the stove over low heat with a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce.
Can I freeze chicken pasta?
Tomato-based and broth-based dishes freeze better than cream sauces, which can separate when thawed. For soups, freeze without the noodles and cook fresh pasta when you reheat.
Your Next Chicken Pasta Night Starts Here
With these 23 pasta and chicken recipes, you’re covered from busy Mondays to cozy Sunday dinners. Start with a creamy classic like Domino’s Chicken Alfredo, turn up the heat with Air Fryer Cajun Chicken Pasta, or set up Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta before work.
Which recipe will you make first? Tell us in the comments, and pin this post so it’s ready the next time you need a fast, satisfying dinner.
Looking for more easy pasta ideas? Check out 35 One-Pot Pasta Dinners for Easy Weeknights and Copycat Olive Garden Recipes.
