Description
A rich, flavorful pasta dish featuring tender chicken, a velvety garlic cream sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta. Comforting and easy enough for a weeknight dinner yet elegant enough for guests.
Ingredients
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (about 1 lb total)
2 tbsp olive oil or butter (or a mix)
4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
8 oz (225 g) pasta (penne, fettuccine, or similar)
1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter version)
½ cup (50 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth or stock
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Optional: red pepper flakes or lemon juice for brightness
Instructions
Season chicken generously with salt and pepper.
Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and sear until golden brown and cooked through (about 6–8 minutes per side for breasts or 5–6 minutes for thighs). Remove and let rest.
Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, reserving ½ cup pasta water before draining.
In the same skillet, melt a little butter (if needed) and sauté minced garlic on low-medium heat for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Deglaze with chicken broth, scraping browned bits. Add heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
Reduce heat and slowly stir in Parmesan until melted and sauce thickens. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes or lemon juice.
Slice the chicken and return it to the skillet with the pasta. Toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed for a silky sauce.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Warm cream before adding to the skillet to prevent curdling.
Freshly grated Parmesan melts smoother than pre-grated cheese.
For extra flavor, add mushrooms, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes.
Reheat gently with a splash of cream or broth to keep sauce creamy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1¼ cups)
- Calories: ~550 kcal
- Sugar: ~3 g
- Sodium: ~680 mg
- Fat: ~28 g
- Saturated Fat: ~14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~12 g
- Trans Fat: ~0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: ~45 g
- Fiber: ~2 g
- Protein: ~32 g
- Cholesterol: ~135 mg