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Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta

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Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta combines tender seasoned chicken and pasta with a creamy homemade garlic Parmesan sauce. This comforting dinner comes together in about 30 minutes and is easy to customize with vegetables or extra spice.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 12 ounces pasta
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3/4 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for pasta water
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, optional

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
  2. Season the chicken with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in an even layer and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium and add the butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
  6. Add the heavy cream and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Avoid rapidly boiling the cream.
  7. Reduce the heat to low and gradually stir in the freshly grated Parmesan until melted and smooth. Add crushed red pepper flakes if desired.
  8. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and add the drained pasta. Toss until everything is evenly coated with the garlic Parmesan sauce.
  9. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time if the sauce is too thick. If the sauce is too thin, simmer gently for 1 to 2 minutes until it reaches the desired consistency.
  10. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Garnish with additional Parmesan and chopped fresh parsley if desired, then serve immediately.

Notes

  • Freshly grated Parmesan melts more smoothly than many packaged pre-shredded varieties and helps prevent a grainy sauce.
  • Keep the heat low when adding Parmesan and avoid boiling the sauce aggressively.
  • Fettuccine, linguine, spaghetti, penne, rigatoni, or rotini can be used.
  • Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can replace the chicken breasts.
  • For added vegetables, stir in baby spinach, cooked broccoli, sautéed mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes.
  • For a spicier version, increase the crushed red pepper flakes or season the chicken with Cajun seasoning.
  • Reserve pasta water before draining so the sauce can be loosened without diluting its flavor.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
  • Reheat gently with a splash of milk, cream, or chicken broth to restore the creamy consistency.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://thefamilycooking.com/chicken-garlic-parmesan-pasta-2/