Creamy Italian Chicken Pasta Recipe

Introduction

This Creamy Italian Chicken Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion. Tender chicken breasts combine with a rich Parmesan cream sauce and al dente pasta for a satisfying meal the whole family will love.

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 the chicken from the skillet and slice it thinly.
3. Step 3: Cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta.
4. Step 4: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
5. Step 5: Pour in the heavy cream and reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes.
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 well to coat. Use the reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce if needed.
8. Step 8: Return the sliced chicken to the skillet and let everything simmer together for an additional 2 to 3 minutes to combine flavors.
9. Step 9: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or basil, then serve hot for a delicious meal.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a splash of white wine to the cream sauce before simmering.
• Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for a juicier texture.
• If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the crushed red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• Swap the fresh herbs for dried Italian seasoning if you don’t have fresh parsley or basil on hand.
• For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream or water to restore the sauce’s consistency if needed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, you can use any pasta you like such as penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti. Just adjust the cooking time according to the package instructions.

How can I make this dish gluten-free?

Simply substitute the regular pasta with your favorite gluten-free pasta to enjoy this creamy chicken pasta without gluten.

Creamy Italian Chicken Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 102 reviews

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

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Description

This Creamy Italian Chicken Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender seared chicken breasts tossed with al dente fettuccine in a rich, creamy Parmesan sauce infused with garlic and Italian seasoning. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, it combines simple ingredients to create a satisfying Italian-inspired meal garnished with fresh herbs.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

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

Sauce

• 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 to infuse flavor before cooking.
2. Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and sear them until golden brown on both sides and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side depending on thickness. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to rest, then slice thinly.
3. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine or linguine and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
4. Prepare the sauce base: In the same skillet used for the chicken, reduce heat to medium and melt the butter. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes, being careful not to burn it.
5. Add cream and simmer: Pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine, then reduce heat to low and let it gently simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly.
6. Incorporate Parmesan cheese: Whisk the grated Parmesan cheese into the cream sauce until it melts and the sauce thickens to a smooth consistency. If using, stir in crushed red pepper flakes for a mild heat.
7. Toss pasta in sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce and toss thoroughly to coat all noodles. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water until the desired creaminess is achieved.
8. Combine chicken and sauce: Return the sliced chicken breasts to the skillet and gently mix everything together. Let it all simmer together over low heat for another 2-3 minutes so flavors meld and the chicken warms through.
9. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or basil on top for a burst of color and freshness. Serve the creamy Italian chicken pasta hot as a satisfying main dish.

Notes

• You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, though it will be less creamy.
• For a spicier kick, increase the crushed red pepper flakes to your preference or add a dash of cayenne pepper.
• Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and smoothest sauce.
• Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheat gently on the stovetop to avoid curdling the sauce.
• Feel free to swap parsley for fresh basil or oregano based on your herb preference.

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

Keywords: Creamy Italian chicken pasta, Garlic Parmesan pasta, Cream sauce pasta, Chicken fettuccine recipe, Easy Italian dinner