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Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

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A comforting dish with tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a luscious garlic Parmesan sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 lb twisted pasta (fusilli) or penne/rotini
  • 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided
  • 4–5 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 1 ½ cups heavy cream
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, freshly grated preferred
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning, divided
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes, optional
  • Fine salt & black pepper, to taste
  • 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Boil the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook the pasta until al dente according to the package directions, reserving ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. Season & sear the chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry and season with salt, pepper, and ½ teaspoon of Italian seasoning. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Sear the chicken for 3–4 minutes on each side until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate, keeping the juices in the skillet.
  3. Build the garlic cream base: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Stir in the minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes. Cook for 30–60 seconds until the garlic is fragrant.
  4. Deglaze & simmer: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up the flavorful browned bits from the skillet. Stir in the heavy cream and the remaining ½ teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Allow it to simmer gently for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  5. Melt Parmesan: Lower the heat and gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until it’s fully melted and the sauce becomes velvety smooth.
  6. Combine: Return the chicken (along with its juices) to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and toss until everything is evenly coated. If the sauce seems too thick, splash in reserved pasta water until it reaches a glossy consistency.
  7. Finish & serve: Taste and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

For a vegetarian twist, swap chicken for firm tofu. Use low-fat cream or dairy alternatives if desired.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.tastysavvy.com/creamy-garlic-parmesan-chicken-pasta-2/