Description
This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a comforting and delicious dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich garlic cream sauce with Parmesan cheese, tossed with your choice of pasta. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe combines simple ingredients into a flavorful and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 12 ounces pasta (fettuccine, penne, or your choice)
Chicken:
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Garnish:
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water for later use.
- Cook the Chicken: Season the chicken strips with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5–6 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Make it Creamy: Add the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning to the skillet. Stir continuously until the sauce becomes smooth and thickens, about 3–4 minutes.
- Combine and Finish: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and add the cooked pasta. Toss everything together to combine evenly, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time if the sauce needs loosening. Cook for another 1–2 minutes until everything is heated through.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- For added flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- Try adding sautéed mushrooms or spinach for extra nutrition and taste.
- To lighten the dish, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
