Correct us if we’re wrong, but we think you really can never go wrong with either a chicken dinner or a pasta dinner. Combine them into one, and you’ve got a stellar combo that’s perfect for nearly any occasion, from a last-minute weeknight meal to date night. These 45 chicken pasta recipes include options for everything you may have on hand: Feel free to use leftover shredded chicken (even shortcut rotisserie chicken!) and whatever vegetables you’ve got hanging around. Add a few additional star ingredients, like a squeeze of lemon or sun-dried tomatoes, and you’ll really have a hit on your hands.

Pro tip: If you serve any pasta with a creamy sauce, like in our chicken Alfredo or our chicken Florentine pasta, no one will ever know dinner was a last-minute idea. Want something lighter? Try something like our bruschetta chicken pasta or our chicken pesto pasta—the freshness of basil combined with tomatoes and fresh mozzarella is like a garden on your plate. Short for time? Make a one-pot wonder, like our chicken Parm pasta, our one-pot creamy spinach & artichoke chicken pasta, or our Cajun-spiced chicken & gnocchi and skip the massive after-dinner cleanup.

Need some chicken tips? We’ve got ’em! Check out our guide for how to boil and shred chicken, how to keep boneless chicken thighs from drying out, and how to make the best roast chicken of your life. With these tips in your arsenal, you’ll be this much closer to a memorable dinner.

Don’t be afraid to get creative with your pasta choices; sometimes all it takes to jazz up an old standby is a fresh noodle shape. You never know when you might discover a new favorite (ours is orecchiette!).

Want even more chicken and pasta? Check out our best penne and spaghetti recipes, then visit our top baked chicken or creamy chicken recipes too.

delish