Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Make sure to allow the oven to reach the full temperature before you begin baking to ensure an even cook throughout. While the oven is heating, prepare your muffin pan by lightly greasing the wells or lining it with cupcake liners to make the removal of the cups easier after baking.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese, eggs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. The cottage cheese will provide a creamy base, and the eggs will help bind the ingredients together while baking. Mix these ingredients thoroughly using a whisk or a spoon until the mixture is smooth and well combined. You should not see any pockets of cottage cheese or eggs left unincorporated.
Once the cheese mixture is prepared, gently add the cooked spaghetti to the bowl. If you are using leftover spaghetti, make sure it’s well drained. Add the diced chicken as well, ensuring the chicken is evenly distributed throughout the mixture. Stir the ingredients together gently, being careful not to break up the spaghetti too much. You want to maintain the texture of the pasta while ensuring all components are evenly coated.
With the mixture ready, carefully spoon it into the prepared muffin pan wells. Fill each well generously, but not to the top, as the mixture will expand slightly as it bakes. Use the back of the spoon or your fingers to gently press the mixture down into the wells, ensuring it’s compact and evenly distributed. This helps the cups hold their shape as they bake.
Place the muffin pan into the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes. After 15 minutes, start checking the cups for doneness. The edges should be golden brown, and the tops of the cups should appear set and firm to the touch. If they are still soft in the center, bake for an additional 5 minutes. The cups will firm up as they cool slightly, so avoid over-baking them to maintain a soft, creamy center.
Once baked, remove the muffin pan from the oven and let the Chicken Alfredo Cups stand for about 5 minutes. This resting time helps the cups firm up, making them easier to remove from the pan without falling apart. Use a butter knife or small spatula around the edges to carefully loosen the cups, then lift them out gently.
Serve the Chicken Alfredo Cups warm as a delicious, festive dish perfect for New Year’s celebrations or any occasion where you want to impress your guests. You can also serve them with a side of marinara sauce for extra flavor or a small salad to balance the richness of the dish.
