Description
This Creamy Italian Chicken Pasta features tender chicken breasts cooked to perfection and tossed with fettuccine in a rich, homemade Parmesan cream sauce infused with garlic and Italian herbs. A comforting and indulgent meal perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Pasta
- 8 ounces fettuccine or linguine pasta
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)
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or basil
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides evenly with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning for a flavorful base.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and slice into strips once cooled slightly.
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fettuccine or linguine until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Sauté garlic: In the same skillet used for the chicken, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Make the cream sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer on low heat. Allow it to cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally to thicken slightly.
- Add Parmesan cheese: Whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes creamy and thickened, ensuring a smooth texture.
- Toss pasta in sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat each strand with the creamy sauce. Use reserved pasta water a little at a time if the sauce is too thick to loosen it.
- Combine chicken and pasta: Return the sliced chicken to the skillet and gently mix everything together. Let it simmer for a further 2-3 minutes so the flavors meld.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or basil over the pasta, then serve it hot for an irresistibly creamy Italian-inspired dish.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, include the crushed red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and smooth sauce texture.
- Reserve pasta water carefully as it helps achieve the perfect sauce consistency.
- Chicken breasts can be substituted with chicken thighs for a juicier option.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: Creamy chicken pasta, Italian chicken pasta, Parmesan cream sauce, easy chicken dinner, fettuccine recipe
