Creamy Philadelphia Chicken Pasta (Cream Cheese Pasta)

Why you’ll love this recipe

This comforting Philadelphia chicken pasta recipe is perfect for weeks when you’re craving a hearty dish but don’t want to reach for takeout. I love this cream cheese pasta recipe, as it feels indulgent whilst still being healthy. Creamy and decadent, this recipe will easily become your new favourite!

I’ve added courgettes into this chicken Philadelphia recipe, which adds a boost of fibre. This also helps create a more nutrient-dense dish, as they’re filled with vitamins A and C, potassium, fibre, and folate. These low-calorie veggies help beef up the dish without making it too calorie-dense.

This Philadelphia chicken recipe provides six servings of the dish, so you can easily pack it for lunch for the entire week. Or, have your dinner prepped and ready for you each night of the week!

Ingredients

Chicken Breast

Chicken breast is an excellent way to add lean protein to this chicken Philadelphia dish. Pork will also work well if you prefer. Vegetarians can use pan-fried tofu or seitan as a protein-rich swap.

Original Philadelphia Cream Cheese

You can’t have creamy Philadelphia recipes (chicken-based pasta dishes) without Philadelphia cream cheese!

Courgettes

I love including spiralized courgettes in this Chicken with Philadelphia dish for extra nutrients. You can also use spiralized carrots for a similar consistency and slightly sweeter flavour.

Lemon Juice and Zest

Fresh lemon juice and zest add a delicious brightness to the pasta with cream cheese. It also helps Philadelphia recipes from feeling too heavy.

White Onion

White onion adds a subtly sweet onion flavour to the Philadelphia cream cheese pasta sauce dish. You can also use red onion for a slight hint of heat.

Garlic

Garlic is always a great way to add aromatics and flavour to Philadelphia chicken!

Spaghetti

You can use any spaghetti to pair with the cream cheese pasta sauce. For even more protein, use red lentil or chickpea pasta.

Basil

Fresh basil provides a delicious sweet and savoury flavour with hints of pepper, anise, and mint. 

How to make this Philadelphia chicken recipe

Start by seasoning both sides of the sliced chicken breast with salt and pepper. Then add half of the oil into a wide/ deep pan, increasing the heat to high. Add the chicken to the hot pan and fry each side for 3 minutes (longer if the pieces are thicker).

Set the chicken aside. Deglaze the sticky meaty bits on the bottom of the pan with a splash of water & add the remaining oil, along with the onion. Reduce the heat and fry the onions for around 5 minutes.

Then, add the garlic, zest of half a lemon, and tarragon. Fry for a couple of minutes. Reducing heat to low, add the cream cheese into the pan.

Slowly pour the chicken stock into the pan slowly whilst continuously stirring until combined. Stir the cornflour slurry into the pan. Place the seared chicken breast back into the pan and increase the heat to medium/low.

Cook for 10-15 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked. During this time add the spaghetti to heavily salted pasta water. Blanch the courgetti for the final one minute of cook time.

Serve the creamy Philadelphia chicken with a portion of spaghetti and courgettie. Top with fresh basil and black pepper, enjoy!

Tips and Tricks

These tips and tricks help take your Philadelphia chicken to the next level!

• Ensure the pan is fully heated before adding in the chicken. This helps produce a delicious sear on the outside of the protein.
• Don’t skip the deglazing step, as this will help add major flavour to the sauce.
• Fresh basil is a delicate herb, so it’s best as a garnish. Avoid cooking the basil in the sauce unless you add it in the last 1-2 minutes.

FAQ

Can I reheat this recipe?

Yes! You can reheat this Philadelphia chicken recipe. Keep the pasta separate from the sauce when you’re portioning it into airtight containers. Then, when you’re ready to reheat a serving, pour the sauce into a pan with a little splash of water and stir on medium-high until heated through.

You can put the pasta in the microwave for a minute. Or, you can toss it into the sauce right before serving and you’ll have a warm dish that’s ready to eat!

If you’re reheating the recipe at the office or workplace, you can put the sauce and pasta into the microwave for 2-3 minutes. When reheating via this method, you’ll see some separation in the sauce due to the cream cheese inclusion.

Can I freeze this recipe?

Yes you can freeze the Philadelphia chicken pasta for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to defrost the chicken pasta, transfer it to the fridge to thaw and then microwave for 2 to 3 minutes ensuring the chicken is heated throughout. 

Is this recipe healthy?

Yes, it’s an excellent recipe to meal prep for the week. It has a good amount of protein, veggies and carbs to help you stay full after you enjoy a serving. If you’re concerned about calories and fat, you can swap the regular cream cheese for a lighter version.

I can’t find dried tarragon, what else can I use? 

If you can’t find dried tarragon, don’t fret! You can easily swap it out for dried parsley or basil instead.

When subbing parsley for tarragon, use a 1:1 ratio. Basil has a more subtle flavour, so you’ll need to use it in a 2:1 ratio as a replacement for the tarragon. I will say however, I love the flavour of tarragon in this dish so please try it out if you’ve never had it

Other creamy chicken recipes:

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Peanut Butter Chicken Satay Curry Creamy Spiced Thai Chicken Noodle Soup