Your family will love the flavors of this Creamy Chicken Pasta. The chicken breast is perfectly seasoned, and the sauce is creamy and cheesy.
This comforting pasta dish takes less than 30 minutes to make, so it’s ideal for a weeknight meal.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Fettuccine: Feel free to replace the fettuccine with spaghetti, linguine, or a medium-sized pasta like penne.
- Seasonings & spices: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning.
- Flour: The chicken is dredged in flour to create a thin, crisp coating.
- Chicken: The recipe calls for boneless chicken breast but you can use boneless chicken thighs instead.
- Chicken broth: Add delicious flavor with chicken broth or replace it with white wine.
- Garlic and onion: Adds layers of flavor.
- Heavy cream: Makes the dish rich and creamy.
- Parmesan cheese: Contributes to the creaminess and adds salty cheesy flavor.
- Fresh parsley: For color and a hint of herby flavor. Replace it with chopped chives or cilantro, or exclude it altogether.
(Note: Full recipe is at the bottom of the post)
How to Make Creamy Chicken Pasta
- Cook the pasta as per the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Add the flour to a shallow dish. In another dish, whisk together the garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Sprinkle the spice mixture over the chicken and then rub it all over. Dredge each breast in the flour.
- Heat the olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chicken to the pan, allowing space between each piece so they’re not touching. Cook the chicken for 2-3 minutes until browned, and then flip to the other side and cook until done. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set it aside.
- Add the onion to the pan and cook for about 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Add the garlic and cook until fragrant. Slowly drizzle in the chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pan to release the cooked bits. Add the heavy cream, the remaining salt, and the Italian seasoning. Stir well to combine.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer and add the Parmesan cheese. Continue to simmer, stirring frequently, until the cheese is melted. Taste and add additional salt and pepper as needed. Add the cooked pasta and the chicken to the pot and stir well until everything is coated in the sauce.
Tips And Tricks
- Any kind of long or short pasta can be used. Spaghetti, linguine, penne, or fusilli are good options.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best results.
- The chicken breast can be left whole or sliced when it’s ready to be served.
- Add veggies like frozen peas, broccoli florets, or chopped asparagus.
Can I Use Milk Instead Of Cream?
Yes. Note that the sauce won’t be as thick and rich if you don’t use cream. You can also use half-and-half for a blend of milk and cream. If you do, blend 2 tablespoons of flour with 2-3 tablespoons of melted butter and whisk into a cup of milk or half-and-half to thicken the sauce. Add to the other ingredients as per the recipe. For the best results, though, we recommend splashing out on the cream.
Can I Use Cooked Chicken Instead Of Raw Chicken?
It isn’t recommended. Raw chicken will absorb the flavors and seasonings used in the dish and it will turn out soft and tender. Pre-cooked chicken could end up being overly dry and tough.
How To Serve Creamy Chicken Pasta
This hearty pasta dish is delicious with a fresh garden salad, crisp garlic bread, or thick slices of Italian bread.
How To Store Creamy Chicken Pasta
Leftovers should be cooled to room temperature, transferred to an airtight container, and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Can You Freeze Creamy Chicken Pasta?
Yes. Place the cooled leftovers in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Frozen leftovers should be thawed in the fridge overnight before reheating.
How To Reheat Creamy Chicken Pasta
The best way to reheat leftovers is on the stove. Place the pasta in a saucepan with a splash of water or stock. Heat over medium-low, stirring often, until heated through. Creamy chicken pasta can also be reheated in the microwave at reduced power until hot.
Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces dry fettuccine
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ heaping teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¾ teaspoon salt divided
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound chicken breast
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 ⅓ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- optional fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta as per the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside. You may choose to drizzle some olive oil over it to prevent the pasta from sticking.
- Place the flour in a shallow dish. In another dish, whisk together the garlic powder, paprika, ½ teaspoon of salt and pepper.
- Sprinkle the spice mixture over the chicken and then rub it all over. Dredge each breast in the flour.
- Heat the olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, transfer the chicken to the pan, allowing space between each piece so they’re not touching. Cook the chicken for 2-3 minutes until browned, and then flip to the other side and cook until done. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set it aside.
- Add the onion to the pan and cook for about 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Slowly drizzle in the chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pan to release the cooked bits. Add the heavy cream, the remaining ¼ teaspoon of salt, and the Italian seasoning. Stir well to combine.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer and add the Parmesan cheese. Continue to simmer, stirring frequently, until the cheese is melted. Taste and add additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Add the cooked pasta and the chicken to the pot and stir well until everything is coated in the sauce.
- Garnish with optional fresh parsley, and enjoy!
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