Description
Indulgent creamy garlic chicken pasta delivers rich Italian-inspired comfort on a plate. Mediterranean flavors blend seamlessly, offering you a satisfying meal that whisks diners straight to culinary bliss.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Pasta and Dairy:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) fettuccine, penne, or favorite pasta
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1 cup (100 grams) parmesan cheese, grated
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) chicken broth
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (28 grams) butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Optional Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) white wine
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) lemon juice
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water at high heat until perfectly tender, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain thoroughly and reserve.
- Season chicken with robust salt and pepper blend. Sear in hot skillet with olive oil and butter over medium-high heat for 6-7 minutes per side until golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove chicken from pan, letting it rest momentarily before slicing into elegant strips.
- Utilize identical skillet to caramelize onions and garlic, cooking until translucent and aromatic, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Deglaze pan with white wine, scraping concentrated flavor bits from bottom, allowing liquid to reduce by half.
- Introduce chicken broth and heavy cream, creating silky sauce. Incorporate red pepper flakes for subtle heat. Simmer 5-6 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
- Whisk Parmesan cheese into sauce until completely melted and smooth.
- Reintroduce sliced chicken and cooked pasta into skillet, gently tossing to ensure complete sauce coverage.
- Fold fresh spinach into warm mixture, allowing leaves to wilt naturally. Finish with bright lemon juice squeeze for enhanced flavor complexity.
- Plate pasta, garnishing with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese for elegant presentation.
Notes
- Always salt pasta water generously to enhance flavor and ensure perfectly seasoned noodles.
- Pat chicken dry before seasoning to achieve a beautiful golden-brown crust and prevent steaming.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt to reduce calories.
- Customize the dish by adding roasted vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini for extra nutrition and color.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 495 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg