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Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta

A quick and comforting dish featuring tender chicken, creamy garlic sauce, and al dente pasta.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 700
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 12 oz 12 oz pasta (penne, fusilli, or your choice)
Chicken
  • 1 lb 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
Cooking Fats
  • 2 tbsp 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 tbsp 3 tbsp butter
Vegetables
  • 4 cloves 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small 1 small onion, finely chopped
Liquids
  • 1/2 cup 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
Cheese and Seasoning
  • 1/2 cup 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning or 1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional Garnishes
  • Optional: red pepper flakes, lemon zest, or fresh basil for garnish

Method
 

Pasta Cooking
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Chicken Preparation
  1. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. Remove chicken to a plate.
Sauce Preparation
  1. In the same skillet, add butter. When it melts, add the chopped onion and cook 2–3 minutes until soft.
  2. Add the minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the pan. Let the broth simmer for 1–2 minutes.
  4. Reduce heat to medium-low and pour in the cream. Stir to combine and let the sauce thicken slightly for 2–3 minutes.
  5. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.
Combine and Serve
  1. Return the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together so the pasta is well coated in the sauce.
  2. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of pasta water to loosen it.
  3. Serve hot, with extra Parmesan, fresh herbs, or a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat.

Notes

Serve with a simple green salad and crusty bread to soak up the sauce. Add a squeeze of lemon over the dish for brightness. Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.