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Creamy Shredded Chicken Pasta Sauce

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By: MadelinePosted: 12/24/2020Updated: 03/31/2021

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Use this Creamy Shredded Chicken Pasta Sauce recipe to make a creamy tomato sauce without any dairy. Mix blended cashews into marinara sauce and serve over your favorite pasta or zoodles.

bowl of pasta with creamy shredded chicken pasta sauce and basil on top

Let’s make a creamy chicken pasta sauce!

We have officially entered the time of year where I want my dinners to be warm, cozy and filling. This creamy shredded chicken pasta sauce gives all the flavor and comfort of a cheesy, creamy pasta sauce, but without any of the dairy.

The creamy part of this creamy shredded chicken pasta sauce comes from cashews. You can use this creamy cashew sauce in many other recipes.

This creamy shredded chicken pasta sauce recipe uses the basic principle of boiling chicken in a sauce and then shredding it and returning it to the sauce. Using this method you are left with super tender pieces of chicken that shred easily and a flavorful sauce.

cashew creamy sauce mixing into shredded chicken and marinara sauce

What kitchen tools do you need to make this creamy shredded chicken pasta sauce?

  • Large pot or dutch oven for cooking the sauce
  • Measuring spoons, measuring cups and liquid measuring cup for measuring ingredients
  • Blender for blending the creamy cashew sauce
  • Forks for shredding the cooked chicken breasts
  • Mixing spoon for mixing shredded chicken and cashew cream sauce into the marinara

How should you enjoy this creamy tomato sauce?

The first time had this creamy shredded chicken pasta sauce on bowtie noodles. The next time I tried it on zoodles so that I could make a full Whole30 meal.

Since then I have had the sauce with different types of pasta and roasted potatoes. I even had a bowl of the creamy shredded chicken pasta sauce alone after a workout when I was hangry and it was perfect.

If you want to enjoy this creamy shredded chicken pasta sauce with zoodles, I suggest undercooking the zoodles slightly.

I sautee mine in a large pan or wok in a little bit of oil until they are just starting to get soft. Then I pour the hot pasta sauce on top of the warm zoodles.

 
ingredients for creamy shredded chicken pasta sauce

What ingredients will I need to make this Whole30 creamy chicken pasta sauce recipe?

Grab a few basic ingredients you will need for this creamy shredded chicken pasta sauce. To make the creamy cashew sauce you will need raw cashews, water, lemon juice, and salt.

Then, you will move on to the shredded chicken in marinara. You will need two boneless skinless chicken breasts, some chicken broth, marinara sauce, and salt.

If you are on the Whole30, you will need to be sure that the marinara sauce and chicken broth are Whole30 compliant.

step by step mixing the chicken pasta sauce

Let’s make a creamy shredded chicken pasta sauce!

Step 1: Soak the cashews

To make this creamy shredded chicken pasta sauce, start by soaking raw cashews in water for at least 12 hours. If you have less time, you can add them to a pot with cold water, bring to a boil and boil 10 minutes.

Then, prepare the cashew cream by draining the raw cashews and rinsing.

Step 2: Make the Cashew Cream Sauce and Poach the Chicken

Then, add the cashews to a high-speed blender with water, salt, and lemon juice. Blend until a thick, smooth cream sauce remains and set the cream sauce aside until later.

Next, add marinara, chicken broth, and salt to a large thick bottom pot like a dutch oven.

Then, mix broth, salt, and marinara together and add chicken breasts to the pot and cover the breasts with some of the sauce and bring the mixture to a boil.

Once the liquid boils, reduce to a simmer and cover the pot with a lid. Then, allow the mixture to simmer for 15 minutes and then turn off the heat.

Step 3: Shred the Chicken and Mix in the Cream Sauce

Next, remove the chicken breasts from the pot and shred the breasts with 2 forks. Then, add the shredded chicken back into the sauce in the pot along with the cream sauce you prepared earlier.

Finally, increase heat to medium-low and mix until a smooth creamy sauce remains. Remove the chicken pasta sauce from heat and enjoy with noodles or zoodles!

Step 4: Enjoy!

How long will this creamy tomato sauce with chicken last in the fridge?

Enjoy the creamy chicken pasta sauce immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove top or in the microwave.

Looking for more dairy free recipes?

Check out these other dairy free recipes that use cashews to make creamy sauces!

  • Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Skillet
  • Dairy Free Buffalo Chicken Dip
  • Cashew Sour Cream

Keep reading for the full recipe. If you make this healthy, creamy, and delicious sauce, please let me know in the comments or on my Instagram.

Recipe

Creamy Shredded Chicken Pasta Sauce

★★★★★ 5 from 7 reviews

Creamy chicken pasta sauce made with marinara sauce and a creamy cashew sauce.

Recipe By: Madeline
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Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup raw cashews
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 + 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsbp lemon juice
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 cup chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Soak raw cashews in water for at least 12 hours or add to a sauce pan with cold water and bring to a boil, boil for at least 10 minutes to soften
  2. Prepare the cashew cream by draining the cashews and rinsing. Add the cashews to a high-speed blender with 1/2 cup water, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tbsp lemon juice
  3. Blend until a thick, smooth cream sauce remains and set the cream sauce aside
  4. Add marinara sauce, chicken broth, and 1 tsp salt to a large pan or dutch oven
  5. Mix thoroughly and add chicken breasts to the pot
  6. Cover the breasts with some of the sauce and bring the mixture to a boil
  7. Once the liquid boils, reduce to a simmer and cover the pot with a lid
  8. Allow the mixture to simmer for 15 minutes then turn off the heat
  9. Remove the chicken breasts from the pot and shred them with 2 forks
  10. Add the shredded chicken into the pot with the sauce and pour in the cashew cream sauce
  11. Mix to combine thoroughly and turn the heat on to medium-low, simmer for 5 minutes until a smooth creamy sauce remains
  12. Allow the sauce to cool slightly and enjoy with noodles or zoodles
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
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About Madeline

Hi, I'm Madeline! I am so excited to share my healthy and approachable recipes with you. Here you will find simple, comforting recipes that the whole family will enjoy. Turn on your favorite playlist or podcast and let's get cooking!

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Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. Amy says

    Posted on 1/4 at 12:03 am

    This is bomb! I ate all of it up and all the leftovers. So light and delicious.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 1/4 at 3:29 pm

      So glad! Thank you!!

      Reply
  2. SexyMomof6 says

    Posted on 1/4 at 3:34 pm

    FLAVOR TOWN USA!!!! My husband has TERRIBLE IBS so he can’t have anything dairy (otherwise it’s a smelly evening). He loved this recipe and so did my 6 children who are all so picky!!! Thanks Mad!! You are saving me from my old boring dinners.

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 1/4 at 3:46 pm

      WOW thank you!!

      Reply
  3. Jenna says

    Posted on 1/4 at 4:56 pm

    Yum yum yum. This recipe absolutely feels like a cheat meal but packs a ton of protein punch. I love to make ahead and save batches for the week ahead. Totally flavorful and comforting. A STAPLE in my kitchen. Seriously— hubby asks for 3x a week.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 1/7 at 12:58 pm

      SO great!! Thank you!

      Reply
  4. Elizabeth says

    Posted on 1/13 at 7:31 pm

    This sounds delicious! Do you think it would still work with pasta sauce as opposed to marinara? That is all I have currently. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 1/13 at 9:17 pm

      Yep!! Those can be used interchangeably so it will definitely work 😀

      Reply
  5. Claire Shapiro says

    Posted on 1/20 at 8:06 pm

    Made this tonight and it was a huge hit! We loved it. We threw in some onions, zucchini, and summer squash and it was amazing. Ate it with some gluten free pasta and it made the pasta so creamy and delicious.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 1/21 at 9:25 am

      YAY!! That sounds amazing!

      Reply
  6. Lauren hardin says

    Posted on 1/22 at 9:32 pm

    YUMMM
    My picky family couldn’t believe this was dairy free. I never remember to soak the cashews ahead of time so I went the boil method and it worked great. I threw it on some steamed broccoli and banza. Thanks Madeline!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 1/23 at 1:14 pm

      amazing!! that makes me so so happy!!

      Reply
  7. Frances says

    Posted on 3/3 at 6:22 pm

    This recipe was a hit. We aren’t usually huge marinara people but the addition of the cashew sauce really mellowed out the dish. I did cheat a bit by using the Joi Cashew Milk Base since I had it in the cupboard, but it worked perfectly. I think next time I make this I’ll see if I can pull off cooking the pasta in the sauce, anything to reduce dishes!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 3/4 at 1:39 pm

      wonderful!! so smart to use the Joi!!

      Reply
  8. Laura says

    Posted on 5/2 at 6:56 pm

    This was AMAZING!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 5/4 at 8:51 pm

      Thank you!!

      Reply
  9. Sheetal says

    Posted on 9/26 at 5:32 pm

    Made this yesterday night and it was incredible! Highly recommend, especially if you love shredded chicken breast!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 9/27 at 5:51 pm

      Thanks so much!

      Reply

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