Creamy & Zesty Chicken Pasta Recipe for Family Dinners

Have you ever stumbled upon a chicken pasta recipe that instantly sparks culinary excitement?

My kitchen experiments often lead to unexpected delights, and this dish promises pure comfort.

Tender chicken pieces nestled among perfectly cooked noodles create a symphony of flavors.

Mediterranean herbs and a creamy sauce elevate this classic combination beyond ordinary meal expectations.

Simple ingredients blend seamlessly, turning an average weeknight dinner into something extraordinary.

Fresh parmesan sprinkled on top adds that irresistible final touch we all crave.

Each bite promises a delicious journey that’ll make you want to savor every single morsel.

What Makes Chicken Pasta an Everyday Favorite

• Customize this recipe by adding different vegetables, herbs, or proteins to match your family's taste preferences and pantry ingredients.
• Using just one skillet means less washing up, making this dish a lifesaver for busy home cooks who want delicious food without extensive kitchen cleanup.
• Creamy Parmesan sauce, perfectly seasoned chicken, and tender pasta create a universally appealing meal that satisfies both kids and adults with its rich, comforting taste.

All the Ingredients for Chicken Pasta Success

Main Ingredients:

• Pasta: Soft, tender base for capturing the creamy sauce.
• Pasta Water: Starchy liquid to help adjust sauce consistency.

• Chicken: Lean protein adding hearty flavor and substance, best with boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs.

• Olive Oil: Rich cooking fat for sautéing chicken and building flavor base.
• Chicken Broth: Liquid component adding depth and moisture to sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Luxurious, smooth base creating rich and velvety sauce texture.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, salty cheese providing creamy thickness and complex flavor.

• Salt: Essential flavor enhancer for all components.
• Black Pepper: Warm, slightly spicy seasoning complementing chicken and sauce.
• Italian Seasoning: Herb blend with dried oregano, basil, and thyme for aromatic profile.
• Garlic: Pungent, aromatic ingredient adding robust background flavor.

• Spinach: Fresh, tender green for nutritional boost.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Sweet, bright accent to balance creamy sauce.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright, fresh herb for garnish and color.
• Fresh Basil: Aromatic herb with sweet, peppery notes.

How to Whip Up Chicken Pasta with Ease

Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfectly

Grab a large pot and fill it with water. Sprinkle in some salt. Bring water to a rolling boil. Drop in pasta and cook until it’s tender but still has a slight bite. Drain the pasta, keeping a small cup of pasta water for later magic.

Step 2: Sizzle The Chicken

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Italian herbs

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in seasoned chicken and cook until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove chicken and set aside.

Step 3: Create Creamy Sauce Base

In the same skillet, toss minced garlic and let it dance around for a minute. Pour in chicken broth and scrape up all those delicious brown bits stuck to the pan. Lower heat and pour in heavy cream. Let the mixture simmer gently.

Step 4: Melt The Cheese

Stir Parmesan cheese into the sauce until it melts completely. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. The sauce should look smooth and silky.

Step 5: Combine Everything

Return chicken to the skillet. Add cooked pasta. Toss everything together, coating each piece with the creamy sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, splash in some reserved pasta water.

Step 6: Final Touches

• Fresh spinach
• Cherry tomatoes

Let these extras warm through in the hot sauce.

Step 7: Serve And Enjoy

Sprinkle fresh herbs like parsley or basil on top. Serve immediately with an extra dusting of Parmesan cheese. Enjoy your restaurant-quality meal at home!

Smart Tips for Better Chicken Pasta

• Perfectly Cook Chicken: Ensure even browning by patting chicken dry before seasoning, preventing excess moisture that can make meat steam instead of sear.
• Pasta Water Magic: Reserve pasta water as a secret weapon to adjust sauce consistency, helping the creamy sauce cling beautifully to noodles without becoming too thick or thin.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Remove skillet from direct heat when adding Parmesan to prevent cheese from becoming grainy or separating, creating a smooth, silky sauce.
• Customize Your Dish: Swap heavy cream with half-and-half or milk for a lighter version, or use gluten-free pasta to make the recipe more diet-friendly without compromising flavor.
• Flavor Boosting Hack: Toast Italian seasoning briefly in the pan before adding chicken to release deeper, more intense aromatics that elevate the entire dish's taste profile.

Store and Reheat Chicken Pasta the Right Way

• Store leftover chicken pasta in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Warm individual portions in the microwave, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to prevent drying out. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.
• Gently reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally and adding a little broth to restore sauce's creamy consistency. This method helps maintain the pasta's texture and prevents overcooking.
• Cream-based sauces tend to separate when frozen, so it's best to enjoy this dish fresh or within a few days of preparing.

Delicious Add-Ons for Chicken Pasta Meals

• Chardonnay's buttery notes complement the creamy pasta sauce, balancing rich chicken and cheese with its subtle oakiness and refreshing acidity.
• Create a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the pasta's creaminess, adding bright, tangy contrast that cleanses the palate between bites.
• Toasted artisan bread with herb-infused butter provides a crispy texture that enhances the pasta's smooth sauce, offering a delightful crunch and additional herbal undertones.
• Sprinkle fresh basil or parsley right before serving to introduce a vibrant, aromatic layer that elevates the dish's overall flavor profile and adds a pop of color.

Creative Ways to Change Up Chicken Pasta

• Dairy-Free Delight: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk. Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese for a creamy, cheesy flavor without dairy.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular pasta with gluten-free pasta made from rice, quinoa, or chickpea flour. Ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free certified.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or plant-based chicken alternatives. Roast or pan-fry the protein with the same seasonings for a protein-packed meal.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Replace pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice. Keep the creamy sauce and protein for a lighter, lower-carbohydrate version of the dish.

Chicken Pasta Recipe

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4.7 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy Mediterranean Chicken Pasta weaves Italian comfort with zesty herb-infused flavors. Succulent chicken, perfectly seasoned pasta, and fresh herbs create a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1 pound (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed

Grains and Pasta:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) pasta (penne or your choice)

Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon salt, divided
• ½ teaspoon black pepper, divided
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Liquids and Dairy:

• 1 cup heavy cream (or milk for a lighter option)
• ½ cup chicken broth

Optional Add-ins:

• 1 cup baby spinach or cherry tomatoes

Garnish:

• Fresh parsley or basil

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Instructions

1. Initiate pasta preparation by immersing noodles in a generously salted boiling water bath. Allow them to dance and soften until achieving perfect al dente texture. Extract noodles carefully, preserving a modest pool of starchy liquid for later culinary magic.
2. Transform chicken into a flavor-packed centerpiece by lavishing it with a robust seasoning blend. Activate a skillet with olive oil’s gleaming embrace, then introduce seasoned protein. Sear the chicken until it develops a golden, crisp exterior and reaches optimal internal temperature. Carefully transfer the succulent morsels to a waiting plate.
3. Utilize the same skillet as a flavor canvas. Introduce minced garlic, allowing its aromatic essence to perfume the cooking space. Deglaze with chicken broth, capturing every caramelized remnant clinging to the pan’s surface. Gently invite heavy cream to join the symphony, creating a luxurious sauce that simmers with promise.
4. Orchestrate the sauce’s final movement by melting Parmesan into a silky cascade. Adjust seasoning with a discerning touch, balancing salt and pepper. Reunite the reserved chicken and pasta within this creamy sanctuary, gently coating each element. Incorporate reserved pasta water to achieve a fluid, elegant consistency.
5. Elevate the dish with optional botanical accents – delicate spinach leaves or burst-ready cherry tomatoes can introduce a vibrant counterpoint. Allow these ingredients to briefly mingle and soften within the warm embrace of the sauce.
6. Present the culinary creation adorned with a sprinkle of freshly chopped herbs. Serve immediately, inviting diners to experience a harmonious blend of textures and flavors, with additional Parmesan standing by as a luxurious garnish.

Notes

• Customize pasta thickness by choosing different shapes like penne, fettuccine, or rigatoni for varied texture and sauce absorption.
• Ensure chicken is perfectly cooked by using a meat thermometer to check internal temperature reaches 165°F, preventing dryness while guaranteeing food safety.
• Transform into a gluten-free version by substituting regular pasta with zucchini noodles or chickpea pasta, maintaining the creamy sauce’s delicious profile.
• Boost protein content by adding extra lean chicken breast or incorporating grilled shrimp for a seafood twist without compromising the dish’s creamy elegance.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 560
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 57 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg