If you want a creamy pasta dinner with plenty of protein, this high protein cottage cheese chicken pasta is an easy recipe to add to your weeknight rotation.
Tender chicken and pasta are tossed in a smooth cottage cheese pasta sauce with Parmesan, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Blending the cottage cheese creates a creamy sauce without needing heavy cream.
It comes together in about 30 minutes, making it especially useful for busy weeknights, meal prep, or anytime you want a satisfying high protein chicken pasta.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- High in protein: Chicken, cottage cheese, and Parmesan all contribute protein.
- Quick and easy: The entire meal can be ready in about 30 minutes.
- Creamy without heavy cream: Blended cottage cheese gives the sauce a smooth, rich texture.
- Great for weeknights: Simple ingredients and minimal preparation keep dinner manageable.
- Easy to customize: Add spinach, broccoli, mushrooms, or your favorite vegetables.
Ingredients
You will need:
- 8 ounces pasta, such as penne, rigatoni, or rotini
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for the pasta water
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 garlic clove
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, as needed
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, optional
- Red pepper flakes, optional
High Protein Cottage Cheese Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan
- 1 garlic clove
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water plus more as needed
- Fresh parsley optional
- Red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve at least 1 cup pasta water before draining.
- Season chicken with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 6–8 minutes or until browned and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Blend cottage cheese, Parmesan, garlic, and 1/4 cup pasta water until smooth.
- Add pasta to the cooked chicken and reduce the heat to low.
- Pour in the cottage cheese sauce and toss until coated. Add pasta water as necessary for a creamy consistency.
- Warm gently without boiling. Garnish with Parmesan, parsley, or red pepper flakes and serve.
How to Make Cottage Cheese Chicken Pasta
1. Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente.
Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
2. Season the Chicken
While the pasta cooks, place the chicken pieces in a bowl.
Season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Toss until the chicken is evenly coated.
3. Cook the Chicken
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the seasoned chicken in a single layer. Cook for about 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Reduce the heat to low.
4. Blend the Cottage Cheese Sauce
Add the cottage cheese, Parmesan, garlic, and about 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water to a blender.
Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
If necessary, add another splash of pasta water to help the sauce blend.
5. Combine
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the chicken.
Remove the skillet from direct high heat before adding the cottage cheese sauce. Pour the sauce over the pasta and chicken and toss gently to coat.
Add reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce reaches your preferred consistency.
Warm everything gently over low heat if needed. Avoid boiling the sauce, since excessive heat can make the dairy sauce separate or become grainy.
6. Serve
Divide the pasta between bowls.
Top with additional Parmesan, chopped parsley, black pepper, or red pepper flakes if desired.
Serve immediately.
Tips for the Creamiest Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce
Blend the cottage cheese well. A high-speed blender or food processor helps transform the cottage cheese curds into a smooth sauce.
Save your pasta water. The starchy water helps loosen the sauce and allows it to coat the pasta.
Don’t boil the sauce. Once the cottage cheese mixture is added, use gentle heat.
Grate Parmesan finely. Finely grated cheese incorporates into the sauce more easily.
Don’t overcook the chicken. Bite-size pieces cook quickly, so check them early to keep them juicy.
Substitutions and Variations
Use a Different Pasta
Penne, rotini, rigatoni, fusilli, and similar shapes work especially well because they hold the creamy sauce.
You can also use a higher-protein pasta if you prefer.
Add Vegetables
Try adding:
- Baby spinach
- Broccoli
- Mushrooms
- Peas
- Zucchini
- Roasted red peppers
For spinach, stir it into the hot skillet just before adding the sauce and let it wilt.
Make It Spicy
Add red pepper flakes to the chicken seasoning or sprinkle them over the finished pasta.
Use Chicken Thighs
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can replace chicken breast. Cooking time may vary, so cook until the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature.
Storage and Reheating
Refrigerator
Store leftover cottage cheese chicken pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or microwave in short intervals.
Add a splash of water or milk before reheating to loosen the sauce.
Freezing
Creamy dairy-based sauces can change texture after freezing and thawing, so this pasta is best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated rather than frozen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does cottage cheese melt into pasta sauce?
Cottage cheese doesn’t behave exactly like a traditional melting cheese. Blending it first creates a much smoother consistency, making it easy to use as the base for a creamy pasta sauce.
Can you taste the cottage cheese?
The cottage cheese flavor is mild once blended with Parmesan, garlic, seasonings, chicken, and pasta. The finished sauce tastes savory and creamy rather than strongly of cottage cheese.
How do I keep cottage cheese pasta sauce from getting grainy?
Blend the cottage cheese until smooth and avoid exposing the finished sauce to high heat. Add it after reducing the skillet temperature and warm it gently.
Can I meal prep this chicken pasta?
Yes. Divide the pasta into airtight meal-prep containers and refrigerate. When reheating, add a small splash of water or milk to help restore the creamy consistency.
What can I serve with cottage cheese chicken pasta?
This pasta works well as a complete meal, but you can pair it with a simple green salad, roasted vegetables, broccoli, or garlic bread.