Creamy Italian Chicken Pasta Recipe

Introduction

Creamy Italian Chicken Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for any weeknight dinner. Tender chicken breast combined with a rich garlic cream sauce and Parmesan makes this pasta a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 8 ounces fettuccine or linguine pasta
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or basil

Instructions

1. Step 1: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
2. Step 2: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side. Remove chicken from skillet and slice into strips.
3. Step 3: Cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
4. Step 4: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
5. Step 5: Pour in the heavy cream and simmer on low heat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Step 6: Whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy.
7. Step 7: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat evenly. Use reserved pasta water as needed to thin the sauce to your desired consistency.
8. Step 8: Return the sliced chicken to the skillet and let everything simmer together for 2 to 3 minutes to combine the flavors.
9. Step 9: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or basil and serve immediately while hot.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add sautéed mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce before adding the cream.
• Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce, but the sauce may be less thick.
• Add crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy kick, or omit for a milder taste.
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts better than pre-grated for a smoother sauce.

Storage

Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of cream or water to loosen the sauce and keep it creamy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of pasta?

Yes, this creamy sauce works well with various pasta shapes such as penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti. Just adjust cooking time accordingly.

How can I tell when the chicken is fully cooked?

The chicken is done when its internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and the juices run clear. It should be golden brown on the outside and no longer pink inside.

Creamy Italian Chicken Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 719 reviews

• Author: Olivia
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

This Creamy Italian Chicken Pasta is a rich and satisfying dish combining tender seared chicken breasts with a luscious Parmesan cream sauce tossed with fettuccine. Flavored with garlic, Italian seasoning, and a hint of crushed red pepper flakes, it’s a perfect weeknight meal or dinner party option that is both comforting and flavorful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Sauce

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Pasta and Garnish

• 8 ounces fettuccine or linguine pasta
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or basil

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Instructions

1. Season the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides evenly with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
2. Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and cook until golden brown and fully cooked through, about 6-7 minutes per side depending on thickness. Remove from skillet and slice once rested.
3. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add fettuccine or linguine and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve half a cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
4. Prepare the sauce base: In the same skillet used for chicken, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute, taking care not to burn it.
5. Simmer the cream: Pour in the heavy cream and let it simmer gently on low heat for 2 to 3 minutes to thicken slightly.
6. Incorporate Parmesan: Gradually whisk in grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes creamy and thickens to a smooth consistency.
7. Toss pasta in sauce: Add the drained pasta to the cream sauce and toss well to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen it to desired consistency.
8. Combine chicken and sauce: Return the sliced chicken to the skillet with the pasta and sauce. Let everything simmer together for 2 to 3 minutes so flavors meld and chicken reheats.
9. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or basil over the top and serve the creamy Italian chicken pasta immediately while hot.

Notes

• Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a smoother sauce and better flavor.
• You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, though it will be less rich.
• For extra heat, do not omit the crushed red pepper flakes or add more to taste.
• Reserve some pasta water as the starch helps to bind and loosen the sauce perfectly.
• Allow chicken to rest after cooking before slicing to keep it juicy.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Keywords: Creamy Italian Chicken Pasta, chicken pasta recipe, Parmesan chicken pasta, easy Italian dinner, creamy pasta sauce