Description
Indulge in the rich flavors of Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta, a comforting dish that combines tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta in a velvety garlic cream sauce. This restaurant-quality meal is surprisingly simple to make and perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Fettuccine or linguine pasta
- Fresh garlic cloves, minced (4-6 cloves or more)
- Full-fat heavy cream
- Low-sodium chicken broth
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Dried Italian seasoning
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Start by patting your chicken breasts or thighs dry with paper towels. Season them generously with salt, pepper, and a pinch of Italian seasoning.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your chosen pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the remaining water and set the pasta aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of olive oil and a tablespoon of butter. Once the butter is melted and shimmering, add the seasoned chicken pieces in a single layer. Sear for about 3-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add another tablespoon of butter and a splash of olive oil to the same skillet. Add your minced garlic and, if using, red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring it to a gentle simmer and let it reduce slightly for about 2-3 minutes. Then, stir in the heavy cream and a bit more Italian seasoning. Continue to simmer gently for another 3-5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and gradually stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of your reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Add the cooked pasta back into the skillet with the creamy garlic sauce. Add the cooked chicken pieces. Toss everything together until thoroughly coated in the sauce.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: Ensure to cook the pasta al dente to prevent it from becoming mushy. Fresh garlic is key for vibrant flavor, and grating your own cheese will yield a smoother sauce. Adjust the sauce consistency with reserved pasta water as needed.