Description
Creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta delivers a comforting Italian-inspired meal that combines tender chicken with rich, cheesy sauce. Hearty ingredients meld together, creating a satisfying dinner you’ll crave on cool evenings.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups (150g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 ½ cups (360ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (240ml) chicken broth
- 12 oz (340g) penne pasta or pasta of choice
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Bring a generously salted pot of water to a vigorous boil. Cook pasta until al dente, reserving one cup of starchy liquid before draining completely.
- Chicken Seasoning: Blend garlic powder, paprika, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Thoroughly coat chicken pieces with the aromatic spice mixture.
- Protein Searing: Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium flame. Introduce seasoned chicken, achieving a golden-brown crust and ensuring complete cooking (5-7 minutes). Set aside cooked chicken on a separate plate.
- Sauce Foundation: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Sprinkle flour to create a smooth roux, whisking continuously to prevent clumping.
- Sauce Development: Gradually pour chicken broth, whisking to eliminate lumps. Stream in heavy cream, creating a velvety base. Simmer gently, allowing the sauce to thicken and intensify in flavor.
- Cheese Integration: Incorporate freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until completely melted and sauce reaches a luxurious, silky consistency. Return cooked chicken to the skillet, coating thoroughly with the creamy sauce.
- Final Assembly: Combine pasta with the skillet contents, ensuring complete sauce coverage. Adjust sauce density using reserved pasta water if necessary. Garnish with chopped parsley and optional lemon wedges for a bright, zesty finish.
Notes
Enhance Chicken Texture: Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure maximum flavor absorption and achieve a perfectly crispy exterior when searing.
Prevent Sauce Separation: Maintain low-medium heat while adding cream and cheese to prevent curdling, creating a smooth, velvety sauce consistency.
Customize Pasta Preferences: Substitute regular pasta with gluten-free or whole wheat varieties for dietary accommodations without compromising the recipe’s rich flavor profile.
Boost Nutritional Value: Incorporate extra vegetables like spinach, zucchini, or roasted bell peppers directly into the sauce for added nutrition and color variety.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 860
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 52g
- Saturated Fat: 30g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 66g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 44g
- Cholesterol: 190mg