Red Lobster Chicken Pasta Copycat Recipe

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If you have been searching the internet for the best chicken pasta recipe, then this Red Lobster Chicken Pasta recipe is the one you need. This dish is highly versatile, smooth, and creamy, and it is one of my tested recipes that can brighten anyone’s day.

Delicious Chicken pasta from Red Lobster

So, what is it about Red Lobster Chicken Pasta that makes it so good? Red Lobster is known for its affordability and quality, and this dish is no exception. It is creamy and flavourful, with tender chicken pieces that never fail to hit the spot.

I say this because I have tried many pasta recipes, but this creamy Red Lobster Chicken Pasta is the one I gravitate towards most. Whenever I am looking for a budget dinner that screams comfort, this recipe is my savior.

What's In The Post

Equipment Required

Skillet: I am using a skillet to cook the entire dish together.
Stockpot: I prefer using a stockpot to boil my pasta.
Colander: Pasta and a colander go hand in hand because you need a colander to drain excess water.
Spatula: Stirring is a must when cooking the chicken and pasta, so I am using a spatula.

Red Lobster Chicken Pasta Ingredients & Substitutions

Note: The ingredients in this recipe can serve up to 2 people.

½ Pound Boneless Chicken
2 Tablespoons Butter
½ Cup Heavy Cream: If you don’t find heavy cream, go for half and half or this recipe.
1 Tablespoon Parmesan Cheese
2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste: I am using canned tomato paste from stores to save time, but you can also make this at home.
½ Tablespoon Basil: To add a hint of freshness without any basil, you can add parsley or mint instead.
1 Tablespoon Black Pepper
1 Tablespoon Garlic
½ Cup Linguine: If you can’t find linguine, you can also use spaghetti for this recipe.
1 Tablespoon Cajun Seasoning
1 Teaspoon Salt

Preparation & Cooking time

Preparation Time	Cooking Time	Total Time
15 Minutes	15 Minutes	30 Minutes

How To Make Red Lobster Chicken Pasta At Home

Step 1

Start by mixing the chicken pieces with the Cajun seasoning in a bowl. Toss and turn the chicken well in the seasoning, then set it aside.

Step 2

It’s time to boil the pasta. Boil some water in a stockpot, and add your pasta. Let it cook until al Dante, for 5-7 minutes

Step 3

Meanwhile, sauté the chicken in the pan with some butter until tender.

Step 4

After the chicken is cooked and slightly browned, keep it aside.

Step 5

Add tomato paste, heavy cream, basil, garlic, salt, and garlic pepper to the same pan to make the cream sauce.

Step 6

Bring this to a boil and let the sauce thicken. Once the sauce is thick enough, add your boiled pasta. Mix everything until the sauce coats the pasta well.

Copycat Recipe of Red Lobster Chicken Pasta

Step 7

Once done, serve it with some grated Parmesan cheese on top.

Red Lobster Chicken Pasta Recipe Video

Expert Tips That I Recommend

To reduce cooking time and ensure the chicken cooks evenly, I pound it flat. (Also, it’s a great way to get rid of frustration, right?)
When I boil the pasta, I like to add some salt to the water. Pasta has no distinct taste, so a little salt helps accentuate the flavor.
Rubbing and massaging the chicken breast with the spices is essential to ensure the chicken is well seasoned.
Do not rush the process, and avoid bringing your creamy sauce to a boil, as this will ruin the cream’s consistency. Let it simmer slowly and low on the skillet.
A very basic tip that should not be underestimated is using room-temperature products. If your cheese or heavy cream is too cold, this might later impact the final results.
Some of my friends are not big fans of cheese because they find it too thick. Although cheese is one of the main highlights of this dish, you can also add sour cream instead of Parmesan cheese.
I always reserve a cup of pasta water after the pasta has boiled. This water is full of flavors, which can be added later to the sauce if it sticks to the pan.

FAQs About Red Lobster Chicken Pasta

How will you know when your chicken is ready?

The simplest way to determine if the chicken is ready or not is by poking or making cuts on the chicken breast. After making cuts, if the juices run clear, the chicken is cooked; however, if it is pinkish, it needs to be cooked further. Also, you will know that your chicken breast is ready after it has browned on both sides.

Why is your Red Lobster Chicken Pasta so sticky?

When cooked, pasta releases starch, which makes the Red Lobster Chicken Pasta sticky. To prevent this, add enough water and allow it to reach the desired consistency. However, do not overcook the pasta, as this can also make it mushy and sticky.

How do you make your Red Lobster Chicken Pasta more flavourful?

To enhance the flavors of the Red Lobster Chicken Pasta, you can add dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or parsley to the top. You can also add more cheese.

Why did the sauce separate when you added the cheese to the Red Lobster Chicken Pasta?

Too much heat or using the wrong kinds of cheese can cause the sauce to separate and curdle up. Ensure you add the right kind of cheese at a medium temperature, followed by stirring to allow the cheese and sauce to blend in smoothly.

How can you fix your sauce if it has curdled?

If your sauce has curdled, do not worry. First, remove it from the heat because heat will only make things worse. Try adding lemon juice or vinegar and stirring it, as this helps bring the sauce back to its creamy consistency. You can also add a little bit of water or warm milk to smooth things out and fix the clumpiness.

How can you thicken Red Lobster Chicken Pasta creamy sauce?

While preparing the sauce for Red Lobster Chicken Pasta, add cornstarch slurry if the consistency is not what you like. Mix cornstarch and water in a bowl and stir it nicely. Once it is lump-free, add this to your sauce and keep stirring it until everything is well combined. Eventually, your sauce will thicken up.

Nutrition Information Per Serving

I wish I could enjoy this Red Lobster Chicken Pasta every day, but I cannot since it is not a healthy option. This dish is high in calories and sodium, so it should be enjoyed in moderation.

Calories	1396 kcal
Carbohydrates	108 g
Protein	73 g
Fat	76 g
Saturated Fat	44 g
Polyunsaturated Fat	5 g
Monounsaturated Fat	19 g
Trans Fat	1 g
Cholesterol	343 mg
Sodium	3148 mg
Potassium	1827 mg
Fiber	9 g
Sugar	11 mg
Vitamin A	6578 IU
Vitamin C	13 mg
Calcium	252 mg
Iron	6 mg

One good thing is that people following nut and soy-free diets can enjoy this dish without any restrictions. On the other hand, followers of vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free, and keto diets can also have this pasta, but they will need to modify the ingredients.

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

Keto Diet: When I want to cut my carbs, I make this keto-style. I use low-carb pasta or keto-approved pasta and avocado oil.
Gluten-Free Diet: The pasta is the only ingredient that makes this dish gluten-free, so make sure you use gluten-free pasta.
Dairy-Free Diet: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk or oat milk, and use vegan cheese to enjoy a dairy-free Red Lobster chicken pasta.

Storing And Reheating This Recipe

Storing

Countertop: Since Red Lobster Chicken Pasta contains cheese and meat, I do not like to keep it on the countertop for more than an hour. Beyond this, the cheese may become stringy, and there is a high risk of the meat becoming contaminated, so it’s best to rely on the fridge for further storage.
Refrigeration: If you have leftovers from this Red Lobster Chicken Pasta and want to enjoy it as lunch the next day, consider refrigerating it. Transfer the leftovers to an airtight bag to prevent moisture from creeping in, and the dish will stay fresh for about 2-3 days.

Reheating

Oven: I like to reheat my Red Lobster Chicken Pasta in the oven. I transfer the leftovers to an oven-safe dish and reheat them at 350°F for 15 minutes.
Microwave: To quickly reheat your chicken pasta, add the leftovers to a microwave-friendly dish and heat them for 20-30 seconds. If you want to warm them up more, follow this with a 10-second increment.
Skillet: Heat some butter in a pan and add the leftover Red Lobster Chicken Pasta. Add a few drops of water so the sauce does not stick to the bottom and burn. Give it a nice twist, twirl it, and heat it until evenly heated.

What To Serve With This Recipe

I do not need any other side dishes with my Red Lobster Chicken Pasta. But some iconic pairings, like chicken pasta with Garlic Bread, taste divine. If you are looking for other options, you can have this with grilled Caesar Salad or Grape Salad.

To keep it light, serve this with roasted Green Beans, baked eggplant, or Bruschetta. For a balanced meal, I also enjoy it with Brussels Sprouts, bell peppers, and onions.

Printable Version

More Red Lobster Recipes That You Can Try

Best Tartar Sauce Recipe — Red Lobster Tartar Sauce

How To Make Red Lobster Bacon Potato Soup At Home — Red Lobster Tartar Sauce

Conclusion

This Red Lobster Chicken Pasta is one of my dependable recipes. It is comfort personified. If you are like me and enjoy creamy pasta, then this is right up your alley.

Since this dish has a thick sauce, chicken, and cheese, it is quite filling and does not call for side dishes.

If you were looking for classic pasta dishes, I hope you got some inspiration from this and will make it right away. Don’t forget to share with me in the comments how it turned out for you.

Red Lobster Chicken Pasta Copycat Recipe

Equipment Required

Red Lobster Chicken Pasta Ingredients & Substitutions

Preparation & Cooking time