Description
Garlic chicken and parmesan pasta delivers a symphony of rich, comforting flavors that dance on your palate. Succulent chicken nestled among silky noodles creates a memorable meal perfect for quick weeknight dinners or elegant gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
Dairy and Cheese:
- 4 tablespoons (56 grams) unsalted butter, divided
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1 cup (100 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 8 ounces (226 grams) pasta (such as fettuccine, penne, or spaghetti)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare a generously salted water bath in a large pot, bringing it to a rolling boil. Submerge the pasta and cook until perfectly tender, maintaining a slight firmness. Extract a cup of starchy liquid before draining and setting the pasta aside.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature. Carefully introduce chicken pieces, seasoning with salt and pepper. Sear until golden and thoroughly cooked, approximately 5-7 minutes. Transfer the succulent chicken to a separate plate.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium. Melt remaining butter, then introduce minced garlic and finely chopped onion. Sauté until aromatics release their fragrance and onions become translucent. Sprinkle Italian seasoning and create a luxurious base. Gently pour heavy cream, allowing the mixture to simmer and gradually thicken.
- Incorporate Parmesan cheese into the sauce, stirring until completely dissolved and achieving a silky consistency. Reintroduce chicken to the skillet, ensuring each piece is lavishly coated. Fold in the cooked pasta, gently tossing to distribute flavors evenly. Adjust sauce texture by incrementally adding reserved pasta water.
- Evaluate and refine seasoning with additional salt and pepper as desired. Scatter freshly chopped parsley across the dish for a vibrant finish. Serve immediately while the sauce remains gloriously creamy and warm.
Notes
- Pasta Water Magic: Starchy pasta water helps create a silky, clingy sauce that perfectly coats every noodle and chicken piece.
- Low-Sodium Hack: Use reduced-sodium chicken broth or low-sodium seasonings to control salt content without sacrificing flavor intensity.
- Dietary Flexibility: Swap regular pasta with gluten-free or whole wheat options to accommodate different nutritional preferences and dietary needs.
- Make-Ahead Master: Prepare chicken and sauce separately, then combine just before serving to maintain optimal texture and prevent pasta from becoming soggy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg