Description
Indulgent Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta brings comfort and elegance to weeknight dinners. Creamy sauce, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked pasta create a delightful meal you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups (150g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz (340g) penne pasta or pasta of choice
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon wedges (optional)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a vigorous boil. Cook pasta until perfectly al dente, following package instructions. Reserve one cup of starchy pasta water before draining completely.
- Chicken Seasoning and Cooking: Combine garlic powder, paprika, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper to create a robust seasoning blend. Thoroughly coat chicken pieces with the aromatic mixture. Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat and sear chicken until golden brown and fully cooked, approximately 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Sauce Foundation: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Sprinkle flour over the butter, whisking continuously to create a smooth, lump-free roux that will serve as the sauce’s thickening agent.
- Sauce Development: Slowly pour chicken broth into the roux, whisking constantly to maintain a smooth consistency. Add heavy cream, allowing the mixture to simmer and thicken into a luxurious sauce. Stir in Parmesan cheese until completely melted and integrated.
- Final Assembly: Return cooked chicken to the skillet, ensuring each piece is generously coated with the creamy sauce. Combine pasta with the sauce, tossing thoroughly. If needed, incorporate reserved pasta water to achieve the ideal sauce consistency.
- Garnish and Serve: Finish the dish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley. Optionally, serve with lemon wedges to add a bright, citrusy note to the creamy creation.
Notes
- Preserve Pasta Texture: Reserve pasta water before draining to rescue potentially dry sauce, using starchy liquid as a magical consistency corrector.
- Prevent Sauce Separation: Whisk constantly when adding flour and liquids to avoid lumpy, grainy sauce texture; smooth movements ensure silky results.
- Optimize Chicken Seasoning: Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help spices adhere better and create a perfect golden-brown exterior during searing.
- Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt for lighter version; use gluten-free flour and pasta for sensitive diets.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 735
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 47g
- Saturated Fat: 24g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 37g
- Cholesterol: 150mg