Description
Succulent garlic parmesan chicken pasta brings Italian comfort right to dinner tables with rich, silky sauce coating tender pasta and juicy chicken. Hearty ingredients blend perfectly, creating a restaurant-quality meal you can easily craft in your own kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Pasta and Sauce Ingredients:
- 12 oz (340g) penne pasta or pasta of choice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (240ml) chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups (360ml) heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups (150g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Fill a spacious pot with salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Submerge pasta and cook until perfectly tender, maintaining a slight bite. Extract and preserve one cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining completely.
- Craft a flavor-packed seasoning blend by combining garlic powder, paprika, Italian herbs, salt, and freshly cracked pepper. Thoroughly coat chicken pieces with the aromatic mixture.
- Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Carefully introduce seasoned chicken, allowing each piece to develop a golden-brown exterior and cook thoroughly, approximately 5-7 minutes. Transfer protein to a temporary holding plate.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and introduce minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant and translucent, releasing its rich aromatics. Dust flour over the butter and stir continuously, creating a smooth roux.
- Slowly incorporate chicken broth, whisking vigorously to prevent lumps. Stream in heavy cream, creating a luxurious base. Simmer gently, allowing the sauce to thicken and develop depth.
- Integrate freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until completely melted and sauce achieves a silky consistency. Reintroduce cooked chicken, coating each piece generously with the creamy sauce.
- Fold pasta into the skillet, ensuring every strand becomes enrobed in the decadent sauce. Adjust consistency using reserved pasta water if needed.
- Elevate the dish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and optional lemon wedges, offering a bright, fresh contrast to the rich, creamy sauce.
Notes
- Ensure pasta is perfectly al dente by testing it a minute before package instructions suggest, preventing mushy texture.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for richer, more authentic flavor compared to pre-packaged alternatives.
- Customize protein by substituting chicken with shrimp, tofu, or plant-based chicken for diverse dietary needs.
- Control sauce thickness strategically by gradually adding reserved pasta water, allowing you to achieve desired creamy consistency without compromising flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 748
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 43g
- Cholesterol: 150mg