Description
This easy chicken pasta recipe transforms humble staples into a rich, satisfying meal that feels both special and completely doable on any busy weeknight. Ready in just 30 minutes with a creamy garlic Parmesan sauce that tastes like it simmered for hours.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 8 oz fettuccine or your favorite pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt, or to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add minced garlic. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits. Add heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Reduce heat to low and gradually whisk in Parmesan cheese until sauce is smooth and creamy. Return chicken to skillet along with cooked pasta. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until sauce reaches desired consistency.
Notes
For a lighter version, swap heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk. Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for more tender meat. If out of fresh garlic, 1 tsp garlic powder works. Don’t use pre-shredded Parmesan as it contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting. Store leftovers in airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 45g
- Cholesterol: 145mg