Description
A creamy, flavorful pasta dish loaded with juicy chicken, rich garlic, and cheesy Parmesan. Perfect for busy weeknights or a comforting family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For the Pasta:
- 8 oz penne or fettuccine pasta
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
-
Cook the pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
-
Prepare the chicken:
- Season the chicken breasts with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, or until golden brown and fully cooked (internal temperature of 165°F).
- Remove the chicken from the skillet, let it rest for 5 minutes, and slice into strips or cubes.
-
Make the sauce:
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour in the heavy cream, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Continue to cook until the cheese is melted and the sauce thickens slightly. Add salt and pepper to taste.
-
Combine:
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat it evenly in the sauce.
- Add the sliced chicken on top and gently mix.
-
Serve:
- Garnish with chopped parsley and additional Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Make it lighter: Substitute half-and-half or milk for heavy cream and use whole wheat pasta for extra fiber.
- Add veggies: Toss in sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes for added flavor and nutrients.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently to avoid separating the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Dish
- Method: Sautéing, Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Per Serving (1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g