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Chicken and Walnut Pasta

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Chicken and Walnut Pasta is a creamy, satisfying dish featuring tender chicken, toasted walnuts, and a savory garlic-Parmesan cream sauce tossed with pasta — perfect for weeknights or dinner parties.

Ingredients

  • 8 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine)
  • 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup walnuts
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp butter (divided)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
  2. In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the walnuts until fragrant, about 2–3 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, heat olive oil and 1 tbsp butter over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  4. Lower the heat to medium and add the remaining butter. Sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  5. Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and the sauce thickens.
  6. Return the cooked chicken and toasted walnuts to the skillet, stirring to coat in the sauce.
  7. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to combine. Use reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  9. Garnish with chopped parsley and additional Parmesan if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Use leftover cooked chicken to save time.
  • For a lighter option, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
  • Swap walnuts with pecans or pine nuts as a substitute.
  • Add spinach or mushrooms for more texture and nutrition.
  • Use pasta water to thin out the sauce if it thickens too much.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://thefamilycooking.com/chicken-and-walnut-pasta/