Description
A comforting, restaurant-style chicken pasta featuring tender chicken in a rich, velvety garlic cream sauce, perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ lbs chicken breast, cut into strips or cubes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 12 oz pasta (fettuccine, penne, or linguine)
- 3 tbsp butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup grated parmesan
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Extra parmesan for serving
- Lemon zest for brightness (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Heat olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces in a single layer. Sear 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside, keeping it warm.
- In the same skillet, melt 3 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add chicken broth and stir, scraping brown bits from the skillet. Pour in heavy cream and mix well. Simmer gently; do not boil the cream.
- Add grated parmesan slowly while stirring. Add Italian seasoning, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta. Toss gently to coat everything in the sauce. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or lemon zest.
- Plate the creamy garlic chicken pasta. Garnish with fresh parsley, extra parmesan, and a crack of black pepper. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Reserving pasta water helps you adjust the sauce texture later if it becomes too thick.
- Searing the chicken well creates a golden crust that adds flavor to the sauce.
- The goal for the sauce texture is silky and glossy, coating the back of a spoon.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 35
- Saturated Fat: 18
- Unsaturated Fat: 17
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 40
- Cholesterol: 150
Keywords: Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta, Dinner Ideas Recipes, Quick Dinner Ideas, Easy Weeknight Dinners, Family Favorite, Comfort Food