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    Home » Pakistani Recipes » White Sauce Chicken Pasta - with Video!

    4.62 from 13 votes

    White Sauce Chicken Pasta - with Video!

    January 21, 2021 by Sarah Mir · Updated April 7, 2022

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Jump to the White Sauce Chicken Pasta Recipe

    Growing up in Jeddah and Karachi if there was a dinner party then one of two dishes was always at the table. My mama's epic Chicken and Cheese or a White Sauce Chicken Pasta. The deciding factor was always the number of people. Chicken and Cheese doesn't go as far (make it and you'll see) as this White Sauce Chicken Pasta which has a similar base, but additional bulk. Oh and if I am making an appetizer with those vibes it's gotta be White Sauce Chicken Box Patties.

    I say White Sauce because that is what we always called it - the 'correct' name is Bechamel and 'correctly' made it is a very different being than the desi-fied version I am about to present today.

    What goes in the White Sauce?

    • A roux - this is the cooked butter flour base that thickens and flavors
    • Milk - the element that creates the white sauce
    • Seasoning - good ol S&P
    • Unorthodox Desi Ingredients - minced onions, chilies, a boullion cube - my apologies to the French.
    • Cheese - You can use whatever cheese you like, but do remember it greatly alters flavor. Personal favorites: monterey jack or cheddar

    What Vegetables Can I Use?

    In this incarnation I have used Mushrooms and Spinach, but you throw in anything your heart desires. Just saute' them off in the begining (or roast) and mix them in at the end. Corn works super well here too.

    Make Ahead Tips

    This pasta does great made a day ahead. Simply assemble and bake till bubbly - 25-30 minutes are 375F and then broil for that beautiful cheese crust! Just remember not to overboil your pasta!

    Want more pasta inspiration?

    • Cilantro Lime Chicken Pasta We Can Eat Everyday
    • Perfect Pasta with Garlicky Mushrooms
    • Sun-dried Tomato & Chicken Pasta

    Tried this recipe? Rate it by clicking the number of stars you want to give it on the recipe card below! Share your recreations with me on Instagram @flourandspiceblog - happy cooking!

    ¾ view of White Sauce Chicken Pasta in a dish
    Print Recipe
    4.62 from 13 votes

    White Sauce Chicken Pasta

    Course: Main Course
    Keyword: white sauce, pasta, chicken
    Servings: 4
    Author: Sarah Mir

    Ingredients

    • 8 tbsp butter (110g)
    • ½ cup flour
    • 1 litre milk
    • 150-200 g chicken (half a chicken breast) shopped into bite size pieces
    • 100-125 g mushrooms remove stems and slice
    • 150 g spinach washed, roughly chopped
    • ½ cup minced onion
    • 3-4 minced green chilies (for a spicy dish increase the green chilies to 6 as they mellow when they cook)
    • ½ chicken boullion cube
    • nutmeg - ⅛ tsp grated (optional)
    • 200 g shredded cheese (monterey jack or cheddar preferred)
    • 8 oz pasta - shells (as shown), penne, bow tie, small rigatoni

    Instructions

    • Put two pots on the stove - one with salted water to boil pasta and one with two tbsp of oil
    • When the oil is hot add the chicken pieces, cook one side on medium high for 2-3 minutes, then flip over and cook until the chicken is cooked through - another 2-3 minutes.
    • Remove the chicken from the pot, leave any extra oil and add the mushrooms on medium high heat - saute until cooked through, season with salt and pepper.
    • Stir in the chopped spinach until it wilts and then remove the spinach and corn into the same dish as the chicken
    • Now add the butter and when it melts sprinkle the flour over stirring frequently until the color changes and it smells a little toasty - 3-5 minutes
    • Add a cup of the milk and whisk then gradually add the rest. Adding in stages makes it easier to break up clumps
    • Stir in the chilies, onion, bouillon cube, nutmeg (if using) and bring the mix to a boil then simmer (stirring frequently) until thickened - about 10-12 minutes
    • Preheat your oven to 400F
    • Put your pasta into boil - boil according to package directions until al dente if you like it soft (it will bake in the oven) or a minute less for more of a bite. Remember to reserve a cup of pasta water when you drain it
    • Once the white sauce has thickened turn off the stove and stir in the chicken, mushrooms, and half cheese. Now taste for seasoning - you want to add a fat pinch of pepper, salt according to how salty the cheese is. As it bakes the pasta will absorb the flavor so you want it to be nice and punchy right now.
    • Stir in the cooked pasta, adding the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed - how much tends to vary by shape. If you forgot to reserve pasta water then milk will do.
    • Spoon the pasta into a lightly greased 9*9 pan or whatever similarly sized oven safe dish you have handy and scatter the remaining cheese on top
    • Bake at 400F for 15-20 minutes to meld the flavors then broil for another 2-3 to get that lovely crispy cheese.
    • Wait for a few minutes before digging in - pasta will be HOT!

    Notes

    • If you want to skip the baking part you can always put the cheese on top and broil or breadcrumbs tossed with a little melted butter. You can also skip both entirely and serve as is
    • This dish is HIGHLY customizable - put in whatever works for your family. If you add a 'bulkier' vegetable like broccoli then increase the sauce base by 20% (more butter, milk, flour) 

    « Achar Chicken
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Fatima says

      January 25, 2021 at 10:29 pm

      I had to try it after the pictures on your Instagram. It was so simple to put together and turned out delicious!Enjoyed it with a chilled glass of coke ! Thank you for all the effort you put in your recipes and your blog!

      Reply
      • sarahjmir@gmail.com says

        January 26, 2021 at 10:37 pm

        You know Fatima I gotta say two things - one is thank you and the second is just thinking about the chilled glass of coke makes me want one!

        Reply
    2. shafaq says

      February 11, 2021 at 8:34 pm

      I have made it twice now,its very flavorful and packs in a goood amount of vegetables. Wholesome and tasty!

      Reply
      • sarahjmir@gmail.com says

        February 12, 2021 at 11:08 pm

        Hi Shafaq! thank you so much for sharing that!

        Reply
    3. T says

      April 11, 2021 at 9:46 pm

      Hi Sarah, this looks awesome, but just wondering any subs for the bouillon cube?

      Reply
      • sarahjmir@gmail.com says

        April 20, 2021 at 5:47 pm

        Hi! You can just adjust seasoning if you are omitting it!

        Reply
    4. saniya says

      April 24, 2021 at 3:40 pm

      even my 21 month old loved it!

      Reply
      • sarahjmir@gmail.com says

        April 27, 2021 at 7:28 am

        that is AWESOME to hear!

        Reply
    5. Ayesha Chagtai says

      April 29, 2021 at 5:10 am

      Allah Miyaan quboolofied my dua’as of wanting to eat a delicious tasting pasta through this recipe! Thank You, Sarah. ♥️

      Reply
      • sarahjmir@gmail.com says

        May 01, 2021 at 8:11 am

        That's the sweetest thing, thank you so much!!!

        Reply
    6. Farwah says

      April 16, 2022 at 3:22 am

      Made this for iftar at my place, doubled the recipe and its all gone. Seriously so so easy and good! Nobody could believe theres no red chilli added to it, green chilli gave such a distinct flavor and heat, this one won hearts. Thank you for such an easy and tasty recipe.

      Reply
    7. wally says

      December 22, 2022 at 9:07 pm

      got to admit i was a little confused by the reference to "cor". didn't see it in ingredient list.

      Reply
      • Sarah Mir says

        December 23, 2022 at 5:14 pm

        Hi there - I am not sure I see the reference here. I do add it sometimes but not usually

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Sarah! Welcome to Flour & Spice, the foodie world of a Pakistani origin Canadian mama of two whose busy life and love for food means practicality reigns supreme! I love baking (duh!), my readers (extra duh!), reading, coffee, singing loudly slightly off key, and aprons.

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