Description
Indulgent Creamy Chicken Pasta brings Italian comfort to home kitchens with luxurious sauce and tender chicken. Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs elevate this classic meal that delivers pure satisfaction for dinner lovers.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein Base:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken, cut into 1-inch pieces
Pasta Base:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) penne pasta, uncooked
Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 0.5 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 1 cup baby spinach (optional)
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare a large pot with generously salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Cook penne pasta until perfectly tender yet firm, approximately 8-10 minutes. Carefully drain and reserve.
- Season chicken pieces with salt and ground black pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sauté chicken until golden brown and completely cooked through, roughly 7-9 minutes. Transfer to a separate plate.
- Using the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt butter. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant, about 30-45 seconds. Sprinkle flour and whisk continuously to create a smooth roux.
- Gradually pour chicken broth and heavy cream into the roux, whisking consistently to prevent lumps. Incorporate parmesan cheese and selected seasonings, stirring until sauce becomes silky and slightly thickened.
- Reintroduce cooked chicken and sun-dried tomatoes into the creamy sauce. Allow mixture to simmer and meld flavors for 2-3 minutes.
- Gently fold pasta into the sauce, ensuring even coating. If using spinach, add now and let it gently wilt. Garnish with fresh basil leaves for an aromatic finish.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection Ensure your pasta remains perfectly al dente by testing it 1-2 minutes before the package instructions suggest, preventing mushy texture.
- Chicken Searing Secret Pat chicken dry before cooking to achieve a golden-brown crust, maximizing flavor and preventing steaming instead of browning.
- Sauce Smoothness Whisk continuously when adding liquids to your roux to prevent lumps, creating a silky-smooth sauce every single time.
- Dietary Flexibility Swap heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free version, or use gluten-free flour and pasta to make this dish celiac-friendly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 735
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 43 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg