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Creamy Chicken Pasta

Creamy Chicken Pasta
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Creamy Chicken Pasta is a quick and comforting weeknight meal featuring tender chicken breast, perfectly cooked pasta, and a rich, velvety sauce made with heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and aromatic garlic. Ready in under 30 minutes, this one-pot dish offers smooth, savory flavors and is customizable with your favorite herbs, veggies, or cheese, making it ideal for families and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 2 medium chicken breasts (about 1 lb), tender and lean

Pasta

  • 8 oz penne or fettuccine pasta

Sauce

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, freshly grated preferred
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Garnish

  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Cook the chicken breasts for about 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the pan and let rest before slicing into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Cook the Pasta: While the chicken cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water for later use.
  3. Make the Sauce: In the same skillet used for the chicken, add minced garlic to the remaining butter and sauté over medium heat until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in chicken broth and allow it to reduce slightly. Then add the heavy cream and simmer gently. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce thickens.
  4. Combine Everything: Return the sliced chicken and drained pasta to the pan. Toss everything together to coat in the creamy sauce evenly. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached.
  5. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top for a fresh herbal note and a pop of color. Serve the dish immediately while warm and creamy.

Notes

  • Don’t overcook chicken to keep it tender and juicy.
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for better flavor and meltability.
  • Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce thickness as needed.
  • Simmer cream gently to avoid curdling and maintain a smooth sauce.
  • Adjust spice levels gradually when adding red pepper flakes or hot sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy chicken pasta, quick chicken pasta, easy dinner, weeknight meal, one pot pasta, comfort food, family friendly

Find it online: https://marysplate.com/creamy-chicken-pasta/