Description
Creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta delivers a luxurious Italian-inspired comfort meal perfect for weeknight dinners. Crispy seasoned chicken nestles among silky noodles, promising a delightful culinary experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound chicken breast, pounded to even thickness
- 1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta and Base:
- 1 pound shortcut pasta (rigatoni or any type, gluten-free if needed)
- 2 cups milk (any kind)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (vegan butter if needed)
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more to taste)
- 3 tablespoons flour (gluten-free if needed)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Chopped parsley
- Extra Parmesan
- Red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Prepare a spacious pot with salted water, bringing it to a rolling boil. Cook pasta until perfectly tender, maintaining an al dente texture. Carefully extract 1 cup of starchy water before draining the pasta.
- Create a flavor-packed marinade by blending olive oil with oregano, paprika, garlic powder, dried sage, and red pepper flakes. Thoroughly coat chicken pieces in this aromatic mixture.
- Fire up a cast iron skillet to medium-high heat. Introduce marinated chicken, allowing it to sear and develop a golden crust. Rotate pieces midway through cooking, approximately 8-10 minutes. Sprinkle water if surface threatens to burn. Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F before removing from heat.
- Without cleaning the skillet, reduce heat and melt butter. Introduce minced garlic, releasing its intense aroma for 60 seconds. Incorporate flour, creating a smooth roux by whisking vigorously.
- Gradually stream chicken broth into the roux, eliminating any potential lumps. Lower temperature and introduce milk and cream, stirring continuously. Allow sauce to thicken for 2-3 minutes.
- Fold in Parmesan cheese, seasoning with salt and pepper until completely integrated. Gently combine pasta with the creamy sauce, using reserved pasta water to adjust thickness if needed.
- Artfully slice cooked chicken and arrange over pasta. Embellish with additional Parmesan, fresh parsley, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a vibrant finish.
Notes
- Stir pasta occasionally while cooking and rinse with cold water immediately after draining to stop the cooking process and prevent clumping.
- Pound chicken to even thickness before seasoning to ensure uniform cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
- If sauce becomes too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water to thin it out while maintaining creamy consistency.
- Swap regular pasta with gluten-free or whole wheat options, use lactose-free milk for cream sauce, and replace chicken with tofu for vegetarian version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 570 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 410 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg