Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
A rich and velvety pasta dish that blends tender chicken with a delicious garlic-parmesan cream sauce, perfect for cozy weeknights.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 12 oz pasta (fettuccine, penne, or your favorite)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup dry white wine or low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan-style cheese Use vegetarian Parmesan if preferred
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes Optional
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 cups baby spinach Optional
- Fresh parsley and extra grated cheese for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Pat chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of Italian seasoning.
Cooking Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until just al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
Searing Chicken
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and sear until golden and cooked through, about 4–6 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate.
Building the Sauce
- Reduce heat to medium. Melt butter in the same skillet, add onion and cook until translucent. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in white wine or broth, scraping up browned bits. Let reduce by half.
Finishing the Sauce
- Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, simmer gently until slightly thickened, about 4–6 minutes. Stir in grated Parmesan-style cheese until smooth.
Combining
- Return chicken to the skillet, add spinach if using, and toss in cooked pasta. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a splash at a time until desired consistency.
Serving
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with parsley and extra parmesan. Serve hot.
Notes
Use a heavy skillet for better browning; don’t overcook the pasta; for lighter dish, swap heavy cream; additional garlic flavor can come from roasted garlic.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 30gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 18gSodium: 800mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4g
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