Description
A cozy, family-friendly creamy chicken pasta with tender seared chicken, garlic-parmesan cream sauce, and a fresh parsley finish. Ready fast and perfect for weeknights.
Ingredients
1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breast (or thighs), cut into bite-size pieces
12 oz (340g) pasta (cavatappi, penne, rotini, or shells)
2 tbsp olive oil (or butter)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups (360ml) heavy cream (or half-and-half)
1 cup (90g) grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp salt (plus more for pasta water)
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup (60ml) reserved pasta water (as needed)
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
2. Season chicken with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
3. Heat olive oil (or butter) in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook 6–8 minutes, turning until golden and fully cooked. Transfer to a plate.
4. Reduce heat to medium. Add garlic to the same skillet and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Pour in cream and simmer 2–3 minutes, stirring.
6. Stir in Parmesan until melted and smooth.
7. Add cooked pasta and chicken back to the skillet. Toss to coat. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time if sauce is too thick.
8. Taste and adjust salt/pepper. Top with parsley and extra Parmesan, then serve hot.
Notes
For extra flavor, sear the chicken until nicely browned—those browned bits make the sauce taste amazing.
To lighten it up, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream (sauce will be slightly thinner).
Add-ins: spinach, peas, or sautéed mushrooms are great.
Leftovers: store in the fridge up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of milk or water to loosen the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1/4 recipe)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 120mg