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Creamy Chicken Pasta

Creamy Chicken Pasta

A quick and comforting Creamy Chicken Pasta dish featuring tender chicken, rich cream sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe balances flavor, ease, and speed, making it ideal for busy weeknights or cozy dinners.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Pasta & Sauce

  • 8 oz pasta of choice (penne, fettuccine, spaghetti, or rigatoni)
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional Garnishes

  • Fresh parsley or basil, chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and season lightly with salt and pepper. Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the chicken and cook until golden and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.
  2. Cook the Pasta: While the chicken cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving some pasta water for adjusting the sauce later.
  3. Make the Cream Sauce: In the same skillet used for the chicken, add the minced garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth, creating a rich and creamy sauce.
  4. Combine and Finish: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and mix it into the sauce. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time if the sauce needs loosening. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

Notes

  • Don’t overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for better flavor and smooth melting.
  • Reserve some pasta water to loosen the sauce and help it cling to the pasta.
  • Let the cream sauce simmer gently to prevent curdling and maintain a silky texture.
  • Add fresh herbs like parsley or basil at the end to preserve their brightness.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian-American
  • Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free pasta)

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 550
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 450mg
  • Fat: 28g
  • Saturated Fat: 15g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 40g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 35g
  • Cholesterol: 110mg

Keywords: creamy chicken pasta, quick dinner, creamy pasta recipe, one-pot chicken pasta, easy chicken dinner