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Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta: Easy 30-Minute Dinner

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A quick and comforting weeknight dinner featuring tender chicken and pasta tossed in a rich, silky sauce made with garlic, parmesan, and heavy cream. Ready in under 30 minutes using simple pantry staples.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 6–8 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 pound penne or fettuccine pasta
  • Salt for boiling water

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Pound to even thickness if necessary.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (165°F). Remove and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Pour in chicken broth and scrape up browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 2 minutes, then stir in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
  5. While sauce simmers, cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente (1 minute less than package directions). Reserve 1 cup of starchy pasta water before draining.
  6. Reduce sauce heat to low. Gradually stir in grated parmesan cheese. Add cooked pasta and reserved pasta water, tossing constantly until sauce emulsifies and coats the noodles.
  7. Slice or chop the cooked chicken and add it back to the pan. Toss to coat in sauce. Adjust seasoning and serve immediately.

Notes

Do not burn the garlic as it will turn bitter. Use freshly grated parmesan rather than pre-shredded to ensure smooth melting. Reserve starchy pasta water to help the sauce cling to the noodles. The dish does not freeze well due to the dairy content; store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently with a splash of milk or broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken pasta, creamy garlic parmesan, weeknight dinner, easy pasta recipe, 30 minute meals, comfort food

Find it online: https://cravemila.com/creamy-garlic-parmesan-chicken-pasta-easy-30-minute-dinner/